Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program (multiple dates)

in 19 days

When

Saturday, June 27th 2026 at 08:00 US/Central

Donate one hour of your time and help make Yorkville brighter!

Yorkville monthly clean-ups take place on the last Saturday of each month at various locations around town. Each litter clean-up is just one hour and contributes to keeping Yorkville beautiful!

Just bring yourself and gloves if desired. Trash bags and pickers are provided.

Join us for one cleanup session or come to them all! And don’t forget to read our Litter Cleanup Safety and Tips to get ready for the cleanup.

2026 Dates and Locations:
All from 8:00 – 9:00am

Saturday, July 25th — Bicentennial Riverfront Park (301 E Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville, IL 60560)
Saturday, August 29th — Southern Belle’s (56 E Schoolhouse Rd, Yorkville, IL 60560)
Sunday, September 27th — Bicentennial Riverfront Park (301 E Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville, IL 60560)
Saturday, October 31st — Ace Hardware (9620 Walter Payton Memorial Hwy, Yorkville, IL 60560)

FAQ Did you know?

Litter Volunteer Community Nature Sustainability

Where

481 E Countryside Pkwy, Yorkville, IL 60560, USA

To attend this event and discover more service opportunities, please login.

Organizer

The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

Why does this litter cleanup matter — what impact does one hour make?

Even a single hour removes trash that harms wildlife, clogs storm drains, and degrades public spaces. Monthly efforts reduce pollutants entering waterways, discourage chronic dumping, and create visible community pride that often prevents future littering. Multiple volunteers working one hour each quickly add up to a measurable improvement in neighborhood health and appearance.

How can I be most effective while volunteering?

Focus on high-traffic and problem spots (street gutters, river edges, behind sidewalks and benches). Work in small teams so one person watches for hazards while another collects, and use provided pickers for safety and efficiency. Pick small items first to fill bags quickly, then tackle larger items as a team. Separate obvious recyclables if instructed by organizers, photograph or flag very large/bulky items for follow-up, and follow the event’s Litter Cleanup Safety and Tips.

What should I bring and how should I dress?

Organizers provide trash bags and pickers; bring your own gloves if you prefer. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a hat; bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Consider a reusable water bottle and a small first-aid kit if you have one. Check weather and dress in layers — organizers will notify volunteers of cancellations or extra precautions for severe weather.

What do I do if I find hazardous items or large/bulky waste?

Do not handle syringes, unknown chemical containers, broken glass with bare hands, or very heavy items by yourself. Flag or photograph the item, move people away from it, and notify organizers so they can arrange proper disposal or contact local services. Use pickers and puncture-resistant gloves for sharp items only if trained and equipped; otherwise report and let staff handle them.

I can’t attend — how else can I support the cleanup effort?

Help recruit volunteers by sharing the event on social media, invite friends or local groups, or donate to The Conservation Foundation to fund supplies and follow-up removal of bulky waste. Encourage neighbors to keep their sidewalks clean, report chronic littering locations to organizers, and amplify post-event photos and results to build community momentum.

Did you know?

Most marine and freshwater litter originates on land — stormwater and wind carry trash from streets and parks into rivers, lakes and oceans.

https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/faq

Short volunteer efforts like local cleanups are linked to improved mental and physical health, including reduced stress, better mood, and longer life expectancy.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/the-health-benefits-of-volunteering

Plastic and other common litter can entangle or be ingested by wildlife, causing injury, starvation or death to birds, fish and other animals.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution

Cigarette butts are consistently the most commonly collected litter item worldwide; they contain plastic fibers and toxic chemicals that leach into soil and water.

https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/

Community cleanup and greening projects have been shown to reduce crime and improve neighborhood wellbeing and public safety.

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304297

Plastics in the environment fragment into microplastics that contaminate rivers, lakes and even drinking water—removing litter prevents future microplastic pollution.

https://www.unep.org/resources/report/global-plastics-outlook-trends-environmental-impacts-and-policy-options