Friends of the Chicago River has led this environmental protection effort for forty years, building a network of over 6,000 members and advocates. The organization's mission focuses on making the river greener and more accessible while raising awareness of the benefits a clean, healthy river brings to surrounding communities.
Litter isn't just unsightly—it's the most visible sign of pollution with serious consequences. It kills aquatic life, creates public health hazards, and becomes more problematic during combined sewer overflow events. Despite legal requirements to protect the river from floatables, current efforts aren't sufficient to keep trash and sewage out of the river system.
The Litter Free Chicago River Toolkit provides comprehensive guidance on everything from site selection to waste disposal. Previous cleanup organizers report that even quick cleanups create visible environmental impact while building team spirit and motivation for future events.
Through the Chicago Sustainability Challenge, funding is available to cover cleanup costs, making it easier for communities to take action without financial barriers.
Time:
You'll need 4-6 hours to organize a cleanup and then you'll need to keep the day of the cleanup free.
Organizing a cleanup in your community is a simple way to contribute to the maintenance of the Chicago River. Here you'll find all the information you need to get started.
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