Pick-Up Iowa - Keep Iowa Beautiful

Pick-Up Iowa

Photographer: Diane Ebert of Waterloo, IA

Join communities across Iowa in cleaning up our streets, rivers, and public spaces!

Each year, Keep Iowa Beautiful calls on Iowans to clean up litter across the state. You can participate by hosting an event in your community to pick up litter and trash along Iowa’s roadsides, neighborhoods, streets, school grounds, parks, or streams.

Though Pick-Up Iowa officially takes place between April 1st and June 30th each year, you can use the resources below to schedule a community pick-up event any day of the year!

What is Pick-Up Iowa?

Pick-Up Iowa is an annual effort to pick up litter across the state of Iowa, through a series of locally organized pick-up events. Established in 2020, Pick-Up Iowa is part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Who may participate?

Anyone can organize a group of volunteers to participate in Pick-Up Iowa! Organizations that often host pick-up events include: cities, community groups, service clubs, school groups, church groups, sports teams, families and friends, business employees, hunting and fishing clubs, Scouts, 4-H clubs and more.

When Does Pick-Up Iowa Take Place?

Schedule your Pick-Up Iowa event between April 1st and June 30th, at a date and time that works for your group.

Why participate in Pick-Up Iowa?

Pick-Up Iowa benefits communities by:

Enhancing Community Amenities: Pick-Up Iowa beautifies parks, downtowns and other public spaces, which contributes to a vibrant and attractive community.
Cultivating Local Leadership: Pick-Up Iowa promotes volunteer-led initiatives that bring residents together to improve their community.
Fostering Civic Pride: When communities look well-cared for, it increases a sense of belonging and pride among residents.
Boosting Economic Vitality: A town that looks its best is more attractive to businesses and visitors.