Volunteer Programs
Request for Litter Clean Up Supplies
Community Programs
You can improve the curb appeal of your neighborhood through the Adopt-A-Block program. Whether you’re working alone or as a group, it’s easy to make your block neat and tidy. Once you’ve completed an application, the City will provide yellow trash bags and gloves for your cleanup.
By participating in this program, you agree to:
1. Adopt the entire block. All four (4) sides including the alley, if there is one.
2. Clean the public sidewalks, curbs, and boulevard greenbelts of the block, corner to corner, and through the alley.
3. Adopt the block for a minimum of two years.
4. Clean the block at least four times per year, including litter cleanup, weed removal and storm grate cleaning.
5. Place bagged litter at your collection point for disposal by Solid Waste & Recycling staff or your private garbage hauler.
The City of Minneapolis has placed litter containers in high pedestrian traffic areas in an effort to reduce the amount of litter that finds its way onto the street. When you volunteer for the Adopt-A-Litter Container program, you’re helping us place and maintain litter containers in other areas that need them.
By participating in this program, you agree to:
- Adopt the litter container for a minimum of two years.
- Select from two levels of involvement by either (A) removing filled bags from the litter container and placing them in your garbage cart or waste dumpster, or (B) requesting removal service from the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling for a monthly fee to be added to your utility bill. The cost for removal services is $12.00 per month for once a week pickup, $24.00 per month for twice a week pickup, $36.00 per month for three times a week pickup, etc., plus tax.
- Maintain plastic liners (bags) in the litter container at all times.
- Keep the surrounding area clear of snow, ice, litter or other refuse.
- Work in partnership with the City to maintain the physical condition of the container. If you spot graffiti on the litter container, either remove the graffiti or contact the Clean City Coordinator for assistance. If the litter container is damaged, contact the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling for repairs or replacement.
Adopt-A-Litter Container Instructions and Application (web form)
Adopt-A-Median
With a little effort, it’s easy to keep our medians, traffic circles, diverters and other public green spaces beautiful year-round. The Adopt-A-Median program is provided through a joint agreement between the City of Minneapolis’ Solid Waste & Recycling and Transportation Divisions for individuals, businesses, block clubs, and organizations who are interested in installing and maintaining plantings, and providing general cleaning and litter control to enhance the appearance and aesthetics of these areas.
By Participating in this program, you agree to:
- Adopt the entire median or other area, and agree to maintain it during all seasons.
- Provide a plan to Public Works that describes what will be placed in the area, including plantings, mulch, groundcover or landscaping materials. Public Works reserves the right to approve or deny anything that may interfere with the safe passage of traffic, including line-of-sight or other obstructions.
- Furnish and install, at your own cost, any plantings and other materials and provide for ongoing maintenance in a reasonable and attractive manner. The adopter is advised that the City uses sodium chloride for winter ice control. Public Works reserves the right to require removal of unkempt or abandon installations.
- Clean the area at least four times per year, including litter cleanup and provide for timely removal of dead plants and weeks. Adopter s responsible for disposal of all waste vegetation, materials and litter.
Adopter must agree to all terms and conditions, safety guidelines and Waivers.
Adopt-A-Median Instructions and Application (PDF)
Adopt-A-Street/Highway
With a little effort, it’s easy to keep our streets, clean and our city beautiful. The Adopt-A-Street program is provided through a joint agreement between the City of Minneapolis’ Solid Waste & Recycling and Traffic Divisions and Hennepin County Commissioners for individuals, businesses, block clubs, and organizations who are interested in adopting and cleaning a stretch of road in Minneapolis. Participating individuals and organizations will be recognized with a blue Adopt-A-Street sign prominently mounted at each end of the adopted stretch. Once you’ve completed an application, the City will provide yellow trash bags, safety vests, and reusable gloves. Litter sticks are also available on a limited basis.
By Participating in this program, you agree to:
- Adopt and maintain a six-block stretch (or more!), including both sides of the street, for a minimum of two years.
- Hold at least four cleanups each year
- Clean public sidewalks, curbs and boulevard greenbelts of litter, trim overgrown weeds from the curb where required, clear off storm grates wherever necessary, and report and cleanup graffiti.
- Securely tie filled trash bags and place at designated pickup points for disposal. The City will not charge the adopter for this service.
- Report problem materials that you cannot pickup to the Solid Waste and Recycling office at 612-673-2917
Adopt-A-Recycling Container
Adopt-An-Ash Receptacle
The City of Minneapolis will place ash receptacles throughout the City in high pedestrian areas, or pedestrian "transition points" such as bus stops or building entrances, in an effort to reduce the amount of cigarette litter on the streets. When you volunteer for this program, you're helping us keep this City beautiful and clean.
By participating in this program, you agree to:
- Adopt an ash receptacle for a minimum of two years.
- Double-bag contents of the ash insert whenever the ash receptacle is full and place the bag in your garbage cart or waste dumpster.
- Keep the surrounding area clear of snow, ice, cigarette or other litter.
- Work in partnership with the City to maintain the physical condition of the receptacle. If you spot graffiti on the ash receptacle, either remove the graffiti or contact the Clean City Coordinator for assistance. If the ash receptacle is damaged, contact the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling for repairs or replacement.
Request for Litter Clean Up Supplies
The City of Minneapolis’ Division of Solid Waste and Recycling recognizes that not all Clean City participants are able to commit to reoccurring cleanup events, or maintaining areas for an extended period of time. For other types of cleanups, Solid Waste and Recycling will partner with the organizer by providing certain tools, supplies and disposal for authorized events where volunteers commit to cleaning specified public areas. To participate in this program you agree to:
Clean public areas such as sidewalks, along curbs, boulevard greenbelts, storm drain surfaces, or in alley ways.
Place bagged litter at your collection point for disposal by Solid Waste & Recycling staff.
In some areas traffic signal poles, control boxes and fire hydrants are a target for graffiti vandals. With your help, we can clear the graffiti and keep our City clean. The City is providing paint to neighborhood organizations, registered block clubs, and other volunteers who are interested in covering graffiti.
Through the Graffiti Paint-Over program, participants can obtain the paint needed to cover graffiti on yellow traffic signal poles, green and brown traffic signal control boxes, and red fire hydrants.
It is important that you read and follow precautions on the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) attached to the paint container.
When painting Traffic Division property, please note the following:
- Paint the entire surface of the cabinet, when covering graffiti.
- Use a brush or roller to apply paint
- Do not paint doors or locks shut.
- Do not paint over epoxy covers.
- Do not change the color of any pole or cabinet.
- Do not paint over posters, stickers or tape.
When painting fire hydrants please note the following:
- Do not cover any white portion of the hydrant, including caps or “bonnets”, of the hydrant with red paint (white caps and bonnets have a special significance to maintenance and fire crews).
Last updated Jan 16, 2020
