Clean Neighbourhoods is open to anyone who lives, works, or plays in Kingston. You do not have to be a resident of Kingston to participate in the program, so long as the area you are cleaning up is within City boundaries.

You may consider participating in Clean Neighbourhoods if you are a:

• High school student looking for volunteer hours
• Business owner or employee looking to make an impact in our community
• Member of a neighbourhood association or community group interested in beautifying our shared public spaces
• Resident who takes pride in our neighbourhoods and wants to help
• Remember to supervise children in their cleanup efforts and emphasize that safety comes first.

Cleanups can be done independently or with others. If you are participating as a group, or completing a cleanup alone, you must follow the current COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions in place including physical distancing and gathering limits. Visit KFL&A Public Health’s website to learn more.

Bags and gloves will be provided to those who register, as well as a copy of the Clean Neighbourhoods Guide. Supplies are limited, but we will do our best to ensure you have enough supplies to complete your cleanup.

Once registered, staff will process the application and send you a confirmation email. This process typically takes between two to five business days. The confirmation email will contain information about contactless pick-up for the supplies, as well as important safety information and reminders. 

Registering for the Clean Neighbourhoods program allows us to provide you with the supplies you need for your cleanup. It also helps us keep track of areas that have been cleaned and the many residents that have contributed their time and energy to this important effort!

Public spaces like streets, parks, trails, and shorelines are great examples of areas that can be cleaned as part of the Clean Neighbourhoods program. 

Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards such as poison ivy, wild parsnip, streams, and branches. Remember to wear protective eyewear, as necessary

If cleaning near a roadway, wear a safety vest. Only clean the non-travelled portion of a roadway, such as ditches or culverts on the side of the road.

The following are common litter and debris that are found in public spaces that can be cleaned up:

• Cigarette butts
• Food wrappers and containers
• Coffee cups
• Loose debris
• Branches and limbs

Never pick up any hazardous, sharp, or heavy materials. Report the location of the materials through our online service request form or by calling Customer Service at 613-546-0000 for safe and proper disposal by staff. If you find a needle, please call the Street Health Centre at 613-549-1440 for assistance. 

Please ‘leave the leaves’ in open areas! Instead, remove leaves from areas that cannot be mowed, like around fence lines, or play structures. Dead and downed wood such as logs or large branches should also be left in place.