The 20-Minute Makeover challenge returns from April 20 to April 26!
You can make a difference in this year’s spring-cleaning efforts! In the time it takes to watch your favourite television show, wait for your food delivery to arrive or listen to a podcast, you could help keep your neighbourhood safe, clean and beautiful.
The City of Vaughan’s popular 20-Minute Makeover returns from Monday, April 20 to Sunday, April 26. Will you accept the challenge to keep our community clean?
Every year in April, aligning with Earth Day, we encourage residents to get outside and beautify the community – this means helping to clean up litter from local school yards, parks, trails, greenspaces, backyards and boulevards.
Here’s how you can participate in this year’s 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 online at vaughan.ca/20MinuteMakeover.
That’s it! Be ready to clean your selected location on your preferred day for 20 minutes.
Here are answers to your top 20-Minute Makeover questions:
How can I get a free cleanup kit?
Sign up online by Friday, April 3 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 Monday, April 13 to Sunday, April 26.
Where can I leave full garbage bags once we’re done cleaning?
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. City staff will go around to pick up the bags of collected litter.
Have any cleanup tips?
While you’re cleaning, remember:
Don’t 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 #Vaughan20MM.
Thank you to this year’s generous corporate donor, Glad Canada, for their in-kind contributions.
To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/20MinuteMakeover.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Green Guardians is the City’s environmental stewardship program that enhances awareness and encourages public participation in environmental initiatives throughout the city. Together, we share the responsibility of creating a clean, sustainable community for generations to enjoy.
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