What you need for a clean-up campaign

A clean-up campaign needs more than gloves and bin bags. You need equipment for collecting different types of waste, clear route packs for volunteer groups, charged communication devices and enough food and drinks for the working period. Plan supplies around the number of volunteers and the length of the route. This checklist also covers items that are easy to arrange too late, such as hazardous-waste containers, power banks and chilled drinks.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 20
Transport cratesqty 8
Tarpsqty 2

Equipment

Litter pickersqty 25
Broomsqty 6
Scoopsqty 4
Hand trucksqty 4
Weighing scale
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Power banksqty 2
Charging cablesqty 4
Clipboardsqty 4
Safety vestsqty 30
Waste binsqty 6
Hazardous waste binsqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 6
Work glovesqty 30
Hand brushesqty 6

Catering

Coolersqty 3
Drink dispensersqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Groceries
- Disposable nitrile gloves - 150 pairs
- Large trash bags - 100 pieces
- Medium trash bags - 50 pieces
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Waste stickers - 100 pieces
- Permanent markers - 12 pieces
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Water - 10 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Bread - 8 loaves
- Sliced cheese - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 500 grams
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Sunscreen - 4 bottles
- Drawing tweezers - 4 pieces

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 6
Cooling matsqty 6

First aid

First aid kit

Tips

Allow at least one pair of work gloves and one litter picker per volunteer, plus a small reserve for damaged or lost equipment. Sort equipment into route packs before volunteers arrive.
Prepare separate waste containers for general and hazardous waste. Arrange waste collection before the campaign and confirm where full bags and containers will be stored.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per additional hour. Use coolers, drink dispensers or thermos flasks so drinks can be served along the route.
Pack lunch portions according to the registration list, including collected dietary requirements. Reusable cups, plates and cutlery should be counted for every volunteer, with a few extras.
Charge walkie-talkies, phones and power banks the day before. Put charging cables, route maps, clipboards and safety instructions together so each group can leave with one complete pack.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a community clean-up campaign?: Plan work gloves, litter pickers, brooms, scoops, buckets and waste containers for the collection teams. You will also need safety vests, route maps, clipboards, communication devices, drinks and lunch supplies.
How many gloves and litter pickers do I need per volunteer?: Start with one pair of work gloves and one litter picker per volunteer, then add a 10% reserve. For 30 volunteers, prepare at least 33 pairs of gloves and 33 litter pickers.
How much water and food should I buy for a clean-up?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one additional drink per person for each later hour. Prepare one lunch package per registered volunteer, plus around 5% extra for last-minute participants.
When should I arrange waste collection for a clean-up campaign?: Confirm waste collection at least 7 days before the campaign, especially if hazardous waste may be found. Check the collection point and container capacity again 1 to 2 days before the event.

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