City’s ‘Keep Chicago Clean’ Campaign Encourages Neighbors To Pick Up Litter This Summer

AUBURN GRESHAM — A new citywide campaign is encouraging residents to reduce litter and waste pollution and help clean their communities. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. David Moore (17th) and the city’s departments of Streets and Sanitation and Environment launched the Keep Chicago Clean campaign Friday morning. 

The beautification campaign, which will run through the summer, urges neighbors, travelers and businesses to work together “to reduce littering, improve waste management and enhance the city’s natural beauty,” according to a news release. Public service announcements will be on display at the city’s airports, train and bus lines and Divvy stations. 

“Whether you’re a born-and-raised Chicagoan or visiting the city for the first time, you have an important role to play in keeping Chicago clean,” Johnson said in the news release. “Building strong, safe and thriving communities starts with pride in the places we all home. By picking up your trash and disposing of your recycling in the blue carts, we can all do our part to ensure our streets, parks, schools, libraries and businesses look their best.”

Neighbors who participate in community cleanup events can call 311 and borrow tools and cleaning supplies from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, according to the city.

The campaign will last through a “peak time” for tourists and outdoor events, including popular music festivals such as Lollapalloza and Riot Fest. 

“We take great pride in our work to keep Chicago clean and safe,” said Cole Stallard, Department of Streets and Sanitation commissioner. “We can’t do it alone, though, and we thank everyone for pitching in to help.”

The Keep Chicago Clean campaign aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan and the broader goal to create a “cleaner, greener and healthier Chicago,” according to the news release. Cleaning up trash can help reduce waste and litter pollution, which keeps communities healthy and protects biodiversity, according to the city.

“Chicago is a world-class city, home to vibrant communities in which we work and live,” Moore said in the news release. “To maintain the beauty of our city, and to keep our neighborhoods clean, we need the support of our residents.”