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Getting Started With Adopt-A-Spot
Interested in submitting a Trash Free Texas Adopt-A-Spot site, but not sure how to get started? Here are a few tips to help get you going.
Selecting Your Site
The first step to getting started with Adopt-A-Spot is selecting the clean-up location and adding it to the Trash Free Texas website. But before settling on a location, make certain you have answers to the following questions.
How Large is the Site?
Will your clean-up site stretch several miles, or run along a short section of the bayou? The size of the site will dictate how many volunteers are needed for each clean-up event.
What are the Site Features?
Is the site near water or a busy thoroughfare? Is the site safe for volunteers of varying abilities and ages? Make certain the site you select is safe and accessible for your volunteers.
Do You Have Permission to Access the Site?
Sites on land owned or managed by the Site Coordinator are ideal, but that isn’t always possible. If you do not own the land, be sure to contact the property owner to get permission in writing to clean the location in advance. Work out details regarding clean-up frequency, safety, and site access.
Coordinating With Volunteers
Volunteerism is at the heart of Adopt-A-Spot! Ask yourself the following when developing a plan for working with clean-up volunteers at your site.
How Will You Promote Your Site?
Site Coordinators can advertise their site to volunteers on their website or via social media. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is developing graphics and social media templates for promotional use in the region. Simply e-mail [email protected] for more information.
How Will You Communicate With Your Volunteers?
Site Coordinators are the primary contact for volunteers interested in cleaning up a site. Be certain your contact information on the Trash Free Texas website is current. If you have a website or social media accounts, be sure to post up-to-date information for your volunteers there to ensure open communication.
How Will You Train Your Volunteers?
The Site Coordinator is the first point of contact for volunteers and is responsible for ensuring they have all the information needed to make the clean-up safe and effective.
Consider sharing safety videos from other related events, such as Trash Bash, to ensure volunteers have the information they need. Consider providing reflective safety vests and life preservers (for sites along waterways) and instruct volunteers on appropriate dress for clean-up events.
Will You Provide Clean-up Supplies?
As the Site Coordinator, you’re not required to provide clean-up supplies to your volunteers. However, be sure to provide information to your volunteers on whether you’ll provide required materials, or if they should provide them as a part of their efforts before they show up to volunteer.
Typical clean-up supplies include:
- Trash Bags
- Gloves
- Grabbers
- Reflective Safety Vests
- Life Preservers
Will Trash Receptacles or Pickup be Provided?
As the Site Coordinator, you’re not required to provide trash receptacles or pick-up services. However, volunteers will need to be informed on what to do with the trash they pick up.
For example:
- Are dumpsters available on site?
- Are roll-off dumpsters available through coordination with you?
- Will you coordinate the removal of trash bags left in a certain location?
- Will volunteers have to take trash bags with them?
Managing Your Site
Becoming a Site Coordinator requires a long-term commitment to your site(s). But it doesn’t have to be hard! Answer these questions before you get started to ensure you’re ready to tackle this task head-on.
Who Will Upload the Clean-up Data?
Tracking clean-up data is key to measuring clean-up success! Work with your volunteers to collect appropriate data after the event, such as:
- Date and duration of clean-up
- Number of volunteers
- Number of bags collects
- Number of bags recycled
- Photos of the clean-up
During the summer of 2021, a Statewide Litter Collection Database will launch. Consider uploading appropriate data after the event to the Database to help paint the picture on litter collection in the State of Texas!
Who Manages the Clean-ups?
The Site Coordinator is the individual responsible for submitting the Adopt-A-Spot location to Trash Free Texas, keeping site information up-to-date and coordinating volunteer efforts.
Still have questions about Adopt-A-Spot and how you can get involved? E-mail [email protected] for more information.