Litter Stewards
Picking up litter in public spaces helps keep our community safe and clean for all to enjoy.
There has been a strong response from the community to help with litter removal throughout Vancouver. We look forward to training and equipping more community members to help us with this complex need.
Self-led Litter Steward
If you’re considering picking up litter around your neighborhood on a frequent basis, this self-led option is for you! Let us get you started so that you may pick up litter in a park or public space. We’ll help you with supplies and disposal support. Volunteers will need to make an ongoing commitment, complete the volunteer application, attend an orientation, follow all safety protocols and have preapproved locations for removal.
Hotspot expeditions and meet-ups
These are various planned events for trained and equipped Litter Steward volunteers. Litter Stewards often meet at identified litter “hotspots” and clean up as a team. Check the City’s Volunteer Calendar for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Litter removal tips
- Use your litter picker whenever possible.
- It’s best to separate glass, nails and other sharp objects into a sturdy bucket so the items don’t rip through your bags.
- Please do not pick up personal items like backpacks, shoes, camping gear, etc.
- Micro-litter is just as important as large pieces of litter. It’s helpful to concentrate on cigarette butts, small pieces of plastic and other micro trash.
- Do not approach or clean up campsites.
- Do not pick up bio-waste (including feces, deceased animals, etc.).
- Do not open containers filled with liquid.
- Do not pick up drug paraphernalia or anything else that makes you uncomfortable.
- If you find any of the items listed above, please take a picture of the location and send to your volunteer coordinator so they can arrange proper disposal.
- For a complete list of safety information, review the Volunteer Programs Safety Orientation.
Other litter removal organizations
Contact information
For additional details about the City’s program, email us litterstewards@cityofvancouver.us with your questions.