20-Minute Makeover
Keeping Our Community Clean
Every year in April, in honour of Earth Day, residents in Vaughan come together to take part in the City of Vaughan's 20-Minute Makeover community litter cleanup. As part of the City’s effort to protect the environment for future generations, everyone must do their part to keep their neighbourhood, streets and parks clean and litter-free.
This year’s week-long cleanup is scheduled from Tuesday, April 22 to Sunday, April 27. Registration for the 20-Minute Makeover is now closed. Please email environment@vaughan.ca with any questions.
Here’s how to take part in the 2025 challenge:
Gather a team – this can include work colleagues, friends, family or anyone!
Select a day during the cleanup week that works for your group.
Pick a public location in your neighbourhood to help clean.
Register by Friday, April 4 to participate and receive a free cleanup kit.
That’s it! Be ready to clean your selected location on your preferred day for 20 minutes.
By participating in 20-Minute Makeover, you have the opportunity to showcase pride for your home and you get to be a Green Guardian of your city. Green Guardians is the City of Vaughan’s environmental sustainability program, where citizens are encouraged to get involved with events and activities that promote environmental stewardship and keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful.
Additional ways to get involved
- After you have participated in your cleanup event, you can continue participating in environmentally friendly and sustainable activities at home. Here are some additional tips and activities that can help you become even more environmentally conscious in your everyday activities: Review the 52 actions you can take to restore the Earth
- Make a plan to create a native species or pollinator-friendly garden this growing season. Check out the City's Pollinator Projects website for tips on how to start.
- Clean out your closet and donate used clothing instead of throwing them away.
Top five tips to keep Vaughan litter-free:
- Always recycle, compost or dispose of your waste responsibly by using the appropriate waste container.
- Do not overfill your blue box. Purchase additional boxes, if needed.
- Hold on to your waste until you find a garbage receptacle or dispose of it at home.
- Say no to single-use items and packaging.
- Use reusable alternatives, where possible, like masks, containers, cups, mugs, bottles, bags, cutlery and straws.
Thank you to our 2025 20-Minute Makeover Donors
Here are answers to some of the common 20-Minute Makeover questions
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Sign up by Friday, April 4 to receive a personal kit that includes garbage bags and plastic gloves. You can pick these up at the Joint Operations Centre (2800 Rutherford Rd.) from April 14 to April 17.
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Leave all your collected litter beside a City garbage bin within the park or greenspace. Do not leave garbage bags in fields, playgrounds or anywhere other than directly beside a City-owned garbage bin, unless otherwise approved in advance by the City.
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While you’re cleaning, remember to:
Not pick up any litter you feel uncomfortable handling or dangerous items, including syringes, broken glass and medical waste.
Avoid sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, as they may be infected with diseases that can spread to humans. Pets should also be kept away from sick or dead wildlife and be kept on leashes. You can report dead or injured wildlife to Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca and staff will respond. Please do not touch the wildlife.
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.
Avoid 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 afterward.
Post a photo of your cleanup on social media using the hashtag #Vaughan20MM.