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Organize a Cleanup for 2025: Year-Round Community Action

Mar 26, 2025

Complete our HLV Environmental Impact of Substance Use Survey!

Green Up Day is just the beginning! This year, we’re expanding our efforts to make our community cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable all year round. Whether you’re part of a school, business, organization, or just an individual, we invite everyone to get involved. You don’t need to organize a large event—individuals and smaller groups can still make a big impact, especially in high-impact areas.

Upcoming Local Events:

Morristown “Butt” Litter Clean Up – May 2
Download the poster!

Green Up Day – May 3
Download the poster!

Doing this activity with your child/teen is a great opportunity to talk about the impact of substances on our community and substances in general. Check out the ParentUpVT website for tips on having conversations with your child or teen about substances and substance misuse.

What You Can Do:

  • Cigarette “Butt Litter Cleanups” : Organize a cigarette butt cleanup in your town, school, workplace, or any high-traffic area. Cigarette butts are harmful to the environment and pose a serious risk to wildlife. Whether it’s a quick cleanup or an ongoing effort, every action counts!
  • Community Cleanups and Green Up Day: Participate in year-round cleanups, even if they’re smaller or informal. Whether it’s a neighborhood walk, a park, or a public space near you, these efforts help improve the cleanliness and health of our environment.
  • Environmental Impact of Substance Use: This year, we are introducing the HLV Environmental Impact of Substance Use Survey. Whether you’re part of an organization or an individual, you can contribute by assessing the environmental damage caused by tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Your participation helps us understand and address the impact of substance use in our public spaces.

How to Get Involved:

  • Individuals & Organizations Welcome: Whether you’re working alone or as part of a larger group, anyone can participate. You don’t need to plan a big event – simply pick a location and contribute to the cleanup effort!
  • We Supply Materials: We’ll provide plastic bags and gloves for your cleanup of substance-related items. Whether you’re working individually or with a small group, we’ve got you covered.
  • Count and Report: After your cleanup, count how many cigarette butts or other substance-related items you find. Share the location and the number of items you collected and complete our HLV Environmental Impact of Substance Use Survey
  • Choose Your Time Slot: Pick a two-hour time slot that works for you. Whether you have an afternoon free or prefer a weekend, we’re flexible to fit your schedule.
  • We’ll Help You Publicize and Provide Support: We can help promote your cleanup event or show up to assist if you need support.

Want Your Effort Featured?

Thank you for helping to raise awareness about substance use and also the environmental impact. Let us know when and where you’re participating, and if you’d like to make your cleanup open to the public! We also recommend reaching out to your town’s Green Up Day Liaison and Conservation Commission for additional support and resources.

For more details, to share your cleanup plans, or to get support, please contact Alison at [email protected].

The Environmental Impact of Substance Use

Substances such as tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis not only affect our health but also have a significant impact on the environment. From toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes and cigarette butts to the waste generated by alcohol and cannabis packaging, these substances contribute to environmental degradation in various ways.

Below are several recent articles and studies that explore the environmental impacts of tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis: