It’s World Cleanup Day!

Get involved to help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful

Today is World Cleanup Day, and we all have a role to play to keep our city green, clean and beautiful! The City of Vaughan conducted its first litter audit in 2023, resulting in the production of the 2024-2026 Litter Reduction Action Plan (PDF) and proclaiming Sept. 20 as World Cleanup Day. This serves as an important reminder to do our part to keep our communities clean and free of litter. 

You can help reduce litter in our community by becoming a Green Guardian, the City of Vaughan’s environmental stewardship program to enhance awareness and encourage public participation in environmental events. It also offers an accessible and resourceful database for you to learn more about environmental stewardship events, programs and activities to participate in.

There are many ways you can become a Green Guardian: 

Participate in existing events and programs

As a community member, non-profit organization or business, you can participate in environmental stewardship projects run by the City. For a list of upcoming Green Guardians events, visit vaughan.ca/GreenGuardians.

Create your own event

If you’re a sustainability leader, or just eager to help the environment, consider organizing your own litter cleanup event in one of Vaughan’s parks, neighbourhoods, trails or open spaces. Upon request, the City can provide supplies for a community cleanup and pick up the collected litter following the event. You can also plan a pollinator garden planting, a rain garden planting or species-at-risk habitat creations in your community. Find out how to get started at vaughan.ca/GreenGuardians. 

Organize a Corporate Tree Planting

The Corporate Tree Planting program encourages local businesses to plant trees within Vaughan’s green spaces. It’s an opportunity to improve the environment, give back to the local community, get active, socialize and build employee engagement. Interested in hosting a fun outing with your team while making a difference in the community? Sign up for a day of planting! Applicants will be considered under the following criteria: 

• If the event will result in a more sustainable and healthier environment
• If the event encourages the protection of Vaughan's natural resources

A standard tree-planting event is $1,500, plus an additional $50 per participant, and runs for approximately two hours. In return for your investment, the City will:

• plan and deliver a tree planting event specifically for your group.
• provide all necessary training, support and safety tools for your planting event.
• supply all planting tools and materials, including trees, shovels and gloves.
• provide your company with a certificate of recognition.

Together, we share the responsibility of creating a clean, sustainable community for generations to come. As a Green Guardian, you will play an important part in keeping Vaughan green.

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