Each Fall, Greensboro Beautiful volunteers get litter out of our waterways, off our streets, and out of our neighborhoods! Scout troops, community organizations, faith communities, schools, businesses, and families take part in the cleanup, showing our community's concern for cleaner waterways and public areas.

How it works:

Most of our cleanups are self-guided.
Get a small group of 15 or less.
Select a site to clean up from our online Litter Hot Spots map or suggest a cleanup site of your own.
Sign up and let us know when you plan to clean up your selected site between September 1st-30th.
Pick up your supplies at Gateway Gardens: 2800 E. Gate City Blvd. They are located in tubs in the outdoor storage area on the right side of the building. Take what you need and leave the rest.
Take pictures before and after your cleanup and post them to Greensboro Beautiful's Facebook or Instagram page. It's a great way to show what a difference we can make!
Put your litter bags and recyclables in your own residential trash can and recycling can.
And most importantly, complete the following survey for Greensboro Beautiful so we can report data and continue to fund this effort!
Return your unused or recyclable supplies (grabbers, vests, and gloves) to the outdoor storage area of Gateway Gardens in three days.

For more information or if you have questions,
email Alex Zaleski or Amanda Garner

National Trash Month Celebration Activities:

Big Sweep Community Events

Join Greensboro Beautiful and community partners for cleanups, recycling events and environmental activities throughout September.

Big Sweep

September 1–October 18, 2026
Throughout Greensboro

Celebrate National Cleanup Month by organizing or joining a litter cleanup. Residents, civic groups, businesses, churches and community organizations are invited to help keep Greensboro beautiful.

Community Helpers: Trash Truck Visit

September 9, 2026 | 11:00–11:30 AM
Glenwood Branch Library
901 W. Florida St., Greensboro

Join Ms. Cindy for an interactive preschool storytime featuring books, songs and rhymes about community helpers, followed by a special City of Greensboro trash truck visit.

Event Information

Halloween Costume Donation Drop-Off

September 10, 2026 | 12:00–4:30 PM
David Caldwell Historic House
3211 W. Cornwallis Dr., Greensboro

Donate gently used Halloween costumes, masks, capes and accessories to the Costume Comeback program. Donations reduce waste and help make Halloween more affordable for local families.

Learn More

No registration is required. Questions about this location may be sent to [email protected].

Plirding, picking up litter while birding

Plirding: Picking Up Litter and Birding

September 13, 2026 | 3:30–5:00 PM
Piedmont Trailhead at Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway
4405 Old Battleground Rd., Greensboro

Join Piedmont Young Birders for birdwatching and a litter cleanup along the greenway. All ages are welcome, and binoculars and cleanup supplies will be available.

Kayaks at Lake Brandt for a kayaking cleanup

Lake Brandt Kayaking Cleanup

September 15, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Lake Brandt Marina
5945 Lake Brandt Rd., Greensboro

Volunteer with Greensboro Water Resources for a free kayaking cleanup that helps remove litter and protect Lake Brandt during National Cleanup Month.

Recycle Rodeo

September 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Evangel Church
2207 E. Cone Blvd., Greensboro

Drop off eligible hard-to-recycle items during the City of Greensboro’s fall Recycle Rodeo. The event is open to Greensboro and Guilford County residents.

City Event Information

Kids Composting and Worms

September 22, 2026 | 3:00–4:00 PM
Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library
1420 Price Park Dr., Greensboro

Join Masey Demoss and Melanie Buckingham for a fun, hands-on children’s program about composting, worms and environmental sustainability.

View Event Details

NC A and T Pizza and Pick-Up litter cleanup

Pizza & Pick-Up: NC A&T

September 24, 2026 | 12:30–1:30 PM
Meet at the Greensboro Curb Market
501 Yanceyville St., Greensboro

Enjoy pizza while helping clean up the NC A&T campus and surrounding community. Cleanup supplies will be provided. Pre-registration required.

UNC Greensboro Pizza and Pick-Up litter cleanup

Pizza & Pick-Up: UNC Greensboro

September 24, 2026 | 3:00–4:00 PM
Meet at the Weatherspoon Art Museum
500 Tate St., Greensboro

Grab some pizza and help remove litter from the UNC Greensboro campus and surrounding area. Cleanup supplies will be provided. Pre-registration required.

Summerfield Summer-Cycle

September 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Summerfield Elementary School
7501 Summerfield Rd., Summerfield

Bring eligible hard-to-recycle household items to this free event hosted by Guilford County Environmental Services and the Town of Summerfield. Open to all Guilford County residents.

View Event Details

National Take A Child Outside (TACO) Week

September 24, 2026 - September 30, 2026PM
Anywhere!

Inspired by Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods, Take A Child Outside Week was created to reconnect children with the natural world. This initiative encourages outdoor play, highlights places to explore, and shares simple activities anyone can enjoy. A Litter cleanup is a great way to get outside as a family!