Spring Cleaning the Capital registration opens tomorrow

OTTAWA – Don’t relegate spring cleaning to the home, make it a city-wide project.

“Join the thousands of dedicated community volunteers who demonstrate their civic pride by participating in the Cleaning the Capital Spring campaign,” city staff released in a statement today (March 13). “Register your cleanup project by May 2 and then get cleaning between April 15 to May 31.”

Cleanup kits, which include garbage bags and nitrile gloves, will be available for pick-up (upon request) at one of 14 City of Ottawa facilities.

Here’s a few tips to make your registration process simpler:

• Check out the interactive map before registering: Don’t forget to check the interactive map on ottawa.ca/clean to ensure there are no other cleanup projects registered at your desired location.  
• Save your registration code:  You’ll need it to submit the online cleanup report for each project you complete by June 15. The registration code is a five-digit number located at the top of your registration confirmation email. 
• Pick up your cleanup supplies: If you requested a cleanup kit for your project, you will receive an email notification indicating when it is ready for pick up.  Please kindly pick up your kit as soon as possible, as storage space for these is limited. 
• Plan for proper disposal of Cleaning the Capital waste/litter and recyclables: We have updated the instructions and options for proper disposal of Cleaning the Capital collected waste/litter on ottawa.ca/clean. Please ensure you review them prior to your planned cleanup project. 
• Ensure safety first: Take note of the general safety tips to help keep volunteers safe while participating in the cleanup project. 
• Wood is good: Coarse woody debris such as downed logs and fallen branches contributes to long-term forest health. Please do not “tidy up” fallen branches or dead wood from our open spaces and natural areas. City staff will handle any potentially hazardous trees or woody debris as needed. 

“Do you know a high school student who needs to complete their community involvement hours?” staff said. “Cleaning the Capital is a flexible opportunity for students to complete their volunteer hours and help keep our city looking beautiful.”

For more information on how to obtain volunteer hours with Cleaning the Capital, please review Student volunteer hours on ottawa.ca/clean. 

Important dates

• March 14: Registration opens 
• April 15 – May 31: Cleaning the Capital Spring campaign 
• April 22: Earth Day  
• May 2: Last day to register 
• June 15: Deadline to submit your online cleanup report 

For more information on the Cleaning the Capital campaign, please visit ottawa.ca/clean. 

“Thanks for keeping Ottawa clean and green,” staff said.