Cleaning the Capital Program – Spring 2025

Welcome to the Cleaning the Capital Program for Spring 2025! This citywide cleanup initiative is a chance for Ottawa residents to unite and keep our community clean, green, and litter-free. Whether you are a first-time participant or a seasoned volunteer, this campaign offers a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while fostering community pride.

Registration Now Open

The Spring Cleaning the Capital campaign runs from March 14, 2025, to May 2, 2025. Don’t miss the chance to register your cleanup project and help make a difference in your community. You can register through our online form. Please ensure you check the interactive map to ensure your desired location isn’t already occupied by another cleanup project.

Key Dates:

• March 14, 2025: Registration Opens

• April 15 – May 31, 2025: Spring Cleaning the Capital Campaign

• May 2, 2025: Registration Closes

• June 15, 2025: Deadline to Submit Your Cleanup Report

Plan Your Project

1. Select Your Cleanup Site: Choose the location where you want to clean up. Ensure it’s not already taken by another registered project by checking our interactive map.

2. Choose Your Cleanup Date and Time: Set the date for your cleanup, and don’t forget to plan for a rain date.

3. Gather Your Team: Invite neighbors, family, friends, or colleagues to join you in your cleanup efforts. This is a perfect team activity!

4. Plan Waste Disposal: Review the proper disposal methods for garbage, recyclables, and hazardous waste before your cleanup day.

Register Your Project

Fill out the online registration form to sign up for your project. If you require cleanup supplies, be sure to request a cleanup kit when registering. Kits include gloves and garbage bags, which are essential for safely completing your cleanup.

Why Register? Registering helps us distribute supplies, track areas cleaned, and recognize your efforts as a volunteer. By registering, you are ensuring that all participants are supported in their cleanup efforts.

Promote Your Cleanup

If you’d like to promote your cleanup project, we’ve created a poster that you can use to spread the word. Be sure to get any necessary permissions for public postings.

Get Your Cleanup Kit

If you requested a cleanup kit, be sure to pick it up from your chosen City of Ottawa facility. Kits include gloves, garbage bags, and other essential items to kickstart your project. If you have any questions about your kit, please don’t hesitate to contact us at cleaning@ottawa.ca.

Submit Your Cleanup Report

Once your project is complete, remember to submit your online cleanup report by June 15, 2025. Don’t forget to include photos of your efforts and the amount of waste you collected!

Waste Disposal and Collection

When you’ve finished cleaning up, you have two options for waste disposal:

• Set Waste Out on Collection Day: If the amount is manageable, you can place your collected garbage and recyclables at your home on your regularly scheduled curbside collection day.

• Request Garbage Pickup: For larger cleanup projects, you can request a special waste pickup at your project site by contacting us at cleaning@ottawa.ca. Be sure to include your registration code, the number of bags, a detailed location, and a photo of the waste.

Important Note: Please do not leave hazardous materials or large items like broken glass, wood, or metal at the cleanup site. For hazardous waste, please contact 3-1-1.

Safety First

Safety is our top priority. Please follow these basic safety guidelines during your cleanup:

• Wear gloves and sturdy shoes.

• Wear long sleeves and pants.

• If cleaning near a road, wear bright clothing or a safety vest.

• Supervise children and ensure they don’t handle hazardous items like glass or needles.

• Avoid lifting heavy items or objects you are unsure about.

Leave the Leaves & Wood

As part of your cleanup, remember to “Leave the Leaves”! Fallen leaves provide essential habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. Similarly, do not remove branches or dead wood from natural spaces—this debris contributes to forest health.

Shoreline Cleanups

Do you love Ottawa’s waterways? Help us clean our shorelines! Our city is home to 4,500 kilometers of streams and rivers, and cleaning these areas is essential for maintaining water quality. Focus on removing human-made litter but leave natural elements like branches and logs in place. Contact your local conservation authority for guidance on the best shoreline cleanup sites.

What’s Included in a Cleanup Kit?

Cleanup starter kits include:

• Nitrile gloves

• Garbage bags

Please note that we no longer distribute leaf and yard waste bags.

Still Need a Team?

If you haven’t yet found a team, gather one! Ask your friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues to get involved. If you’re unable to form a team, don’t worry—many volunteers clean solo and still make a huge difference!

Join Us for the 32nd Year of Cleaning the Capital

Since its launch in 1994, Cleaning the Capital has become a cherished tradition in Ottawa, with over 1.5 million volunteers removing more than 1.2 million kilograms of waste. This year marks the 32nd edition of the program, and we’re excited to keep working together to maintain Ottawa as a clean and green city!

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at cleaning@ottawa.ca. Let’s make this spring’s Cleaning the Capital campaign the best one yet!

#CleaningTheCapital | #OttCity