The 20-Minute Makeover challenge is back!
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Register by March 29 to receive a free community cleanup kit
In the time it takes to watch your favourite television show, wait for your food delivery or listen to a podcast, you could help beautify Vaughan and spring clean your neighbourhood. The City of Vaughan’s popular 20-Minute Makeover is back – even bigger and better than before! Now a week-long cleanup, dedicate time between Monday, April 18 and Sunday, April 24 to participate with those in your household.
Every year in April, in honour of Earth Day, residents in Vaughan are encouraged to get outside and clean up local school yards, parks, trails, green spaces, backyards, boulevards and even around local Canada Post mailboxes. The City has participated in this community cleanup event for the past 15years, excluding 2020 and 2021 in response to provincial COVID-19 measures.
Interested in participating in the 2022 event? Here’s how: create a team, think of a location to help clean, register online at vaughan.ca/20MinuteMakeover and be ready to clean your selected location on your preferred day for 20 minutes. Sign up by Tuesday, March 29 to receive a free personal cleanup kit – including garbage bags and plastic gloves. Kits will be available for pickup at the Joint Operations Centre, by appointment, at 2800 Rutherford Rd. You may also request a drop-off option to have the kits delivered to your home. Kits will be available for pick up or delivery from Tuesday, April 5 to Friday, April 15.
While the global COVID-19 pandemic persists, the health and safety of everyone in the community remains the top priority. While participating in the 20-Minute Makeover, use caution and follow York Region Public Health protocols. In addition, remember to:
- use cleanup supplies provided, including gloves and bags.
- not pick up any litter you feel uncomfortable handling or dangerous items, including syringes, broken glass and medical waste.
- stay mentally alert; only collect litter from safe areas and be mindful of traffic.
- avoid ravines, streams, rivers, stormwater ponds and other bodies of water.
- wear appropriate protective clothing depending on the weather, including boots, rain jackets, hats and sunscreen.
- void over-exertion and take breaks when needed.
- make note of what types of items you are picking up and the number of bags filled so you can report on what was collected afterwards.
- post a photo of your cleanup on social media using the hashtag #Vaughan20MM.
Litter collected in the provided garbage bags may be left beside a City garbage bin within the park or greenspace. Garbage bags must not be left in fields, playgrounds or anywhere other than directly beside a City-owned garbage bin, unless otherwise approved by the City.
The City of Vaughan’s annual 20-Minute Makeover further strengthens the commitment to preserving the city by creating lasting and sustainable behaviours. This event also supports goals outlined in Green Directions Vaughan, the City’s community sustainability plan, and promotes environmental stewardship, one of Council’s priorities outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
This year’s cleanup initiative is sponsored by Glad Canada and in partnership with Pitch-In Canada – a national non-profit group dedicated to preserving and creating more sustainable environments.