Four ways to help keep public spaces spotless
June 2025
story courtesy of Family Features
From a day spent in the office to evenings out — and everywhere in between — there’s one thing virtually everyone leaves behind now and again: a mess. Whether it’s discarded paper from a morning meeting or food scraps and used napkins from your favorite restaurant, you’ll likely leave some trash in your wake on any given day.
While waste is a regular part of everyday life, there are ways you can do your part to keep your workspace and community clean beyond simply picking up after yourself. One way is to remember the hardworking custodians who make big things possible by tirelessly maintaining our public spaces daily. Consider the following ways you can add to the cause and do your part for clean offices, schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and beyond.
PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF
Striving for a cleaner community doesn’t happen overnight; it begins with small steps and habits you can incorporate daily. One of the easiest ways to lend a hand to maintenance professionals is by simply cleaning up after yourself, from recycling used paper at the office to properly disposing of that popcorn bucket after catching a movie.
ENCOURAGE CLEANLINESS AT WORK
An unkempt work environment can be detrimental to productivity and safety. Voice any concerns you may have about your workspace and recommend tools that can help encourage cleanliness.
KEEP CLEANING SUPPLIES ON HAND
Go beyond your own messes and fight back against litter in public spaces by keeping cleaning supplies in a backpack while hiking, stowed away while biking or in your trunk while driving through town. A few small trash bags, disposable gloves or a trash tool are all you need to help put a stop to littered parks and neighborhoods.
ORGANIZE COMMUNITY CLEANING EVENTS
If you’re ready to go above and beyond, consider organizing a community cleanup. Set a date and time, gather supplies like trash bags and gloves, and then spread the news to family, friends and neighbors, and share why it’s important to keep spaces clean and safe. Start with a local park or your own neighborhood to avoid overwhelming your volunteers, but as your cleanup crew grows, you can tackle larger areas.
