Community Cleanup

Join the Community Cleanup: April 22 - May 13

This spring, let’s come together to make a lasting impact on our environment! In honour of Earth Day (April 22) and the Provincial Day of Action on Litter (May 13), the City of St. Thomas invites you to help create a cleaner, greener community. Every small action counts – even dedicating just 20 minutes can make a world of difference!

Together, we can:
- Reduce Waste: Give old items a second life and support second-hand stores.
- Divert Waste: Recycle and compost to keep waste out of landfills.
- Prevent Waste & Litter: Choose less packaging and bring reusable items to reduce waste before it even begins.
- Clean Up Litter: Help tidy up our streets, parks, and neighbourhoods, and encourage others to do the same.
- Properly Dispose of Waste: Keep our community clean by making sure trash is placed in the right bins.

How to Get Involved:
- Dates: Cleanup runs from April 22 to May 13 – pick a time that fits your schedule.
- How to Participate: Register as an individual, group, or business and get started on your cleanup journey!

Every bit of effort adds up. By participating, you’ll be helping make St. Thomas a cleaner, more beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. Sign up today and be part of the positive change!

1. Before collecting, put on the appropriate personal protective equipment.
2. If possible, use tongs or pick-up sticks to avoid direct contact with litter.
3. Collect debris into the appropriate bag or other container.
4. Take all necessary precautions, including being cautious near riverbanks or roads, having
adults handle dangerous items, and supervising children closely.
5. Remember to wash or sanitize your hands frequently and when you are finished.
6. Make sure bags and bins are properly closed, and take to a local garbage disposal location.

1. Put on gloves.
2. Place your poke proof container on a stable surface beside the hazardous litter (use any
thick plastic, or metal container with a lid).
3. Use tongs to carefully collect the hazardous litter. Keep sharp points/edges pointed away
from you and never attempt to recap a used needle.
4. Place the item(s) into the container pointy end first and close the lid.
5. Remove gloves and wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
6. Take the container to a local disposal location, as listed on the SWPH website

- Talbot Street (from Wellington intersection to West end Tim Hortons & downtown)
- Sunset Drive (from Wellington intersection South to Elm Street)
- First Avenue (from Talbot Street North to South Edgeware Road)
- Cedar Street (Ravine at end of street)
- Burwell Road (from Talbot Street North to South Edgeware Road)
- Flora Street (West side, just South of the tracks, North to Barwick Street including the bridge)
- Chester Street (from Sunset Drive to Willow Street)
- City lot at Silver Street and Burwell Road
- Orchard Park Trail - parking lot on Empire Parkway
- L&PS Trail (aka Whistle Stop Trail)
- Dorothy Palmer (runs from CASO West)
- Athletic Park along the hill side - 95 George Street
- VA Barrie Trail (Stanley Street entrance to bottom of hill)