Adopt-A-Block Program
Residents, business owners, schools and local organizations are encouraged to adopt a block to help keep their neighborhood clean and litter-free.
The Village's Adopt-A-Block Program, developed by the Keep Oak Park Beautiful committee, provides free plastic bags, disposable rubber gloves, safety vests, litter tongs and information on performing a safe and successful monthly clean up event.
The committee will monitor the program by filing your quarterly reports for the regular reports issued to Keep America Beautiful, Inc. Signs will be posted to identify your efforts and help promote our mission - to Keep Oak Park Beautiful.
Program Guidelines
- A minimum of four (4) cleanups shall be conducted per calendar year.
- Groups will receive the following startup supplies upon adoption:
- Black trash bags (10)
- Coated work gloves (10 pairs)
- Pink refuse stickers (10)
- Cleanup bag scale
- Cleanup Tips & Safety Sheet
- Additional cleanup supplies will be provided upon request.
- The following tools may be borrowed from the Village for scheduled cleanups:
- Litter grabbers (limit of 10)
- Shovels (limit of 10)
- Push brooms (limit of 10)
- Rakes (limit of 10)
- All borrowed tools must be returned to the Village the following Monday.
- Additional cleanup supply orders and requests to borrow cleanup tools may be submitted to the Environmental Services Manager, Erica Helms at ehelms@oak-park.us.
Cleanup Tips and Safety
Group Leaders:
- Establish clear boundaries for the cleanup area.
- Identify supervisors and conduct a safety talk at the beginning of the activity so all volunteers understand how to safely pick up litter and who they should ask for help.
- Review emergency procedures, such as the location of the nearest emergency facility and who to ask for help.
- Keep a first-aid kit, hand sanitizer, and mobile phone on hand.
- Provide adequate adult supervision for youth volunteers (at least 1 adult per 8 cleanup participants under the age of 17).
- Reconvene every hour to make sure all volunteers are present.
- Bring plenty of water and quick energy foods.
- Separate out collected recyclable items to maximize diversion.
- Take pictures before, during and after to show off your teamwork!
Don’t:
- conduct cleanups during extreme inclement weather events.
- schedule cleanups during peak pedestrian or traffic hours.
- allow small children to participate in cleanups near major traffic corridors or busy intersections.
- stray from the designated cleanup area without notice.
- forget to complete a Litter Reporting Form for each cleanup.
Individual Volunteers:
- Wear gloves, thick-soled closed toe shoes, long pants, and long-sleeves.
- Wear safety vests or bright colors for roadside cleanups.
- Wear sunscreen and bug repellent.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a snack when energy is low.
- Beware of your surroundings and potential hazards (e.g. passing vehicles, low-hanging tree branches, bees, wasps, and poison ivy).
- Report any potentially hazardous or heavy objects to the group leader.
- Use the buddy system and work in teams of 2 or 3 to maximize safety.
- Be sure to double knot full bags of collected litter closed.
- Wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap after the cleanup.
Don't:
- pick up ANY potentially hazardous materials such as hypodermic needles, sharp objects, old car batteries, dead animals, or other unidentified or questionable items. Report it to the group leader.
- over stuff bags or drag them on the ground while collecting litter.
- attempt to move large or heavy objects. Report it to the group leader.
- bring pets to the cleanup.
- overdo it physically, take a break if you need one!
