Cleaning up litter does more than beautify your neighborhood. It makes the community stronger, too. And each of us can play a part.
Since spring began, residents, organizations and businesses across the commonwealth have united efforts to enhance the charm of our state as a part of The Greatest Virginia Greenup. From recycling to tree planting and restoring natural areas, this collective action helps preserve Virginia’s natural beauty so that it remains vibrant for residents and visitors alike.
This annual program — which runs from the first day of spring until the first day of summer — is organized by Keep Virginia Beautiful, a nonprofit focused on preventing litter, improving recycling and promoting community beautification. The Greatest Virginia Greenup is a dedicated time to collaborate on ways to improve the commonwealth’s scenic and natural environment. It aims to inspire communities, organizations and individuals to take action in support of a cleaner, more sustainable, more beautiful future.
Keep Virginia Beautiful is a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, and this year’s Greenup is also part of their national Greatest American Cleanup to improve 25,000 communities and pick up 25 billion pieces of litter before America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Americans to celebrate the proud legacy of our beautiful nation and to come together as part of the largest and most far-reaching cleanup endeavor in our nation’s history.
And beatification projects impact more than curb appeal. In fact, a study by the University of Virginia found that well-maintained greenspaces can . Clean communities also foster a sense of connection and common purpose that can bring people from all walks of life together for public good
For instance, Keep Virginia Beautiful partnered with the Richmond SPCA for a litter cleanup called “Pickup with Pups” as part of the Greatest Virginia Greenup. During the activity, SPCA volunteers walked pups while other volunteers joined them and picked up litter. Not only was trash removed from walkways and roads where dogs enjoy outside time, but the adoptable pets were introduced to community members in hopes of finding the pups a forever home.
These clean-up and beautification activities help to unite all corners of the community — from businesses to nonprofits to schools. For example:
- Companies such as Dominion Energy, which is a program sponsor, teamed up with Keep Virginia Beautiful to assemble 5,000 wildflower seed packets. They were then sent to Virginia State Parks and other organizations to support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which help restore natural habitats across the state.
- Navy Federal Credit Union and Sodexo partnered to collect waste from the Lynnhaven River in Hampton Roads.
- Students from Grundy High in southwest Virginia organized a recycling event during a school basketball game, collecting cans and bottles throughout the stands.
Getting involved is easy — and rewarding.
- Consider forming a team to help tackle trash in a local neighborhood. You can get more done together.
- Adopt a trail, park or street and commit to cleaning it during this Greenup initiative and beyond.
- Educate others by sharing your efforts on social media or as a workshop to help raise awareness and motivate positive action.
Beautifying Virginia not only enhances our environment, it brings us closer together, too.
Learn more at and the Keep America Beautiful website, .
Cristi Lawton of Richmond is the executive director of Keep Virginia Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the commonwealth’s scenic and natural environment through a focus on litter prevention, recycling, and community beautification.
