Choose a program
| Adopt-a-Street | Adopt-a-Park | Adopt-a-Trail | Adopt-a-Creek | Adopt-a-Catch Basin |
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Select at least 0.4 km of municipal roadway (both sides of street).
Clean once a month.
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Select a municipal park (school grounds & regional parks not part of program).
Clean once a month.
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Select at least 1 km of municipal trail path (regional park trails are not part of this program).
Clean once a month.
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Conduct streamside clean ups (involves additional guidelines).
Four times per year.
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Select up to six catch basins to keep clear.
Learn more. |
Is Adopt-a-Program the right program for you?
Check out our Program Guidelines and our Guide to Safe Litter Clean Up for more details about participation commitments.
Adopt-a-Program also offers one-time cleanup events for individuals and groups that are interested in hosting a single cleanup event.
How to apply
- To adopt a catch basin, click here. To adopt a street, park, trail, or creek, check the Adoption Map to see if the area you would like to adopt is available for adoption. The adoption map shows what streets, parks, trails, and creeks are available for adoption. The areas highlighted in blue are currently adopted.
- Once you have found an available area you would like to adopt or hold a one-time clean up at, click on and fill out the application below.
Adopt-a-Program Application
Please allow up to two weeks for your application to be processed. If you have any questions email adopt@tol.ca.
Clean Up Report
Please submit an online clean up report once a cleanup has been completed. The report lets us know how much and what type of material is being collected, which helps to improve waste management programs in Township. The reports also provide a means for you to request garbage pick up, report anything unusual and let us know you are still active in the program.
Clean up report
Supply request
Adopt-a-Program supports volunteers by providing them with the necessary cleanup supplies for their route. Cleanup supplies include pickers (1 per 2-3 people), vests, gloves, and litter bags.
Please allow up to two weeks for a response.
Request additional supplies
Participant resources
| Guide to Safe Litter Cleanup |
| Who is the contact and what is their role? |
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Determine a representative from your group to be the contact person.
The contact person is responsible for submitting all required documentation and serves as the liaison between the Township and any volunteers represented. The contact is also responsible for reminding volunteers to use good judgment and safe practice during clean up activities. The items in this guide should be discussed with the group prior to each clean up event.
Remember: safety first! Under no circumstance is the welfare of a participant to be compromised during cleanup activities.
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| How to handle different materials |
| Hazardous & Bio-hazardous items (syringes, chemicals, roadkill, etc.) |
Volunteers must not handle hazardous litter. Objects containing corrosive chemicals (e.g. car batteries) or objects that bio-hazard items – used condoms, diapers, gloves, face masks, tissues and wipes may carry harmful bacteria or disease (e.g. dead animals, syringes, etc.) should not be touched. Flag the location where items are found and report for pickup using the online Clean Up Report form or by calling the Township of Langley. |
| Broken glass and other sharp items |
Dangerous refuse such as broken glass or other sharp objects must be handled carefully to avoid injury. Litter pickers are provided for this purpose. If you choose to pick up dangerous items, it is a good idea to designate one person to handle such items with a litter picker, especially if children work in your group. Put broken or sharp objects in a rigid container or wrap in paper before putting in the bag. |
| Large and heavy items |
Do not lift large or heavy items. Instead make note of the location and report for pickup using the online Clean Up Report form or by calling the Township of Langley. |
| Recyclables |
If clean (not full of dirt or liquid), recyclables such as bottles and cans can be separated and placed in the blue box or returned to a Recycling Depot for recycling. If the item is too dirty, it must be disposed of as garbage. |
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| How do I dispose of the garbage I collect? |
- Place at curb on collection day: If you receive municipal garbage pick up, you can put garbage from your cleanup in the provided orange or yellow bag and place it beside your garbage cart on your collection day.
- Fill out a clean up report: If you do not receive municipal garbage collection OR you are unable to transport the you litter collected, you can request a pick up by filling out an online Clean Up Report or by calling 604-532-7300. Make sure that the waste is left in a visible location by the road (not blocking or impeding traffic or sight lines) and that it is in the provided orange or yellow bags.
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| Emergencies |
- Keep a cell phone handy or know where the nearest phone is.
- Have transportation available.
- Report injuries incurred during clean up activities to the Program Coordinator within 24 hours of the incident.
| In the event of an emergency |
9-1-1 |
| Needle pick up |
604-812-5277 |
| To report an environmental spill |
1-800-663-3456 |
| Adopt-a-Program Coordinator |
604-532-7300
adopt@tol.ca |
| Illegal dumping, hazardous waste pick up, and other Township inquiries |
604-532-7300
opsinfo@tol.ca |
| Township after hours emergency support |
604-534-6722 |
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| Safety checklist |
- Discuss the cleanup route.
- Take note of any areas of concern or potential danger, such as high traffic areas or locations where there is limited vision of approaching traffic.
- Supervise minors.
- Ensure a responsible adult is present to supervise minors. Avoid horseplay while working.
- Prepare your materials.
- Make sure you have all tools and materials required to complete your task safely and efficiently. Always wear the safety vest provided or other high visibility clothing, suitable footwear (closed-toe shoes), and be prepared for the weather (sunscreen, hat, warm gloves, water etc.).
- Review safety instructions with participants:
- Watch for vehicles and bicycles.
- Pick up litter walking against traffic, this ensures all volunteers face oncoming traffic and are aware of dangers. Additionally work on one side of the street at a time, to give vehicles room to move around you.
- Obey traffic regulations.
- Volunteers should obey all signals and traffic lights and use intersections and marked crosswalks, where available.
- Never reach blindly to pick up an item.
- Use a tool or stick to identify the item before picking it up.
- Work in pairs if possible.
- Working in pairs is safer than working alone as it allows volunteers to look out for each other.
- Items not permitted
- Do not use alcohol or drugs while working, and refrain from smoking or vaping. Avoid the use of headphones/earbuds.
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| Mowing and Brushwacking Map |
| A map was created to help Adopt-a-Program volunteers see when boulevards and ditches along their adopted streets are scheduled for mowing or brushwacking. This can help volunteers place their cleanups before mowing or brushwacking occurs to avoid litter being cut into smaller pieces. Active mowing areas are usually completed within 3 to 5 business days while active brushwacking areas are usually completed within 20 to 30 days. |
Program guidelines
The guidelines below are based on Council’s Adopt-a-Program Policy.
| Participation Requirements |
- Participants must commit to keeping their adopted area free of litter as either a one-time event or for a minimum of two years.
- Participants are required to submit online clean up reports:
- After a one-time clean up event;
- At least once per month for a street, trail, or park; and
- At least four times per year for a creek.
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Application Requirements
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- Participants must either reside in the Township, have a valid business license in the Township, be a school, or be a registered community organization or group serving the Township community.
- Volunteers are required to apply using the Townships online webform, including signing an Authorized Township of Langley Volunteer Partial Waiver and Release of Rights.
- Participants must review and follow the Adopt-a-Program Council Policy and the Guide to Safe Litter Cleanup as amended and updated from time to time.
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Number of Adoptions Allowed
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- Each participant may initially only make one application for the adoption of one street, park, trail or creek and up to six catch basins.
- After two years of active participation, where program requirements have been met, a participant may apply for the extension of an adopted area or for the adoption of a further area.
- The total number of adoptions an individual or group can have is limited to two.
- The total number of adoptions a business, school or non-profit organization can have is limited to three.
- Additional adoptions may be considered for larger groups, with proof that the existing commitments have been met.
- A maximum of two groups may share the adoption of a street, park, trail or creek with no requirement to coordinate cleanups
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Recognition of Participants
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- After completing six months of regular cleanups for an adopted street that is a minimum of 0.4 km in length (both sides), a park, a trail that is a minimum of 1.0 km in length, or creek, and demonstrated compliance with the program guidelines and policy, a participant may apply to the Township for one recognition sign to be installed by the Township
- The approval and placement of program recognition signs is in the sole discretion of the Township and may be refused for any reason
- The Township reserves the right to remove or relocate a recognition sign at any time and for any reason
- Recognition signs will remain in place for the duration of the active adoption and will be removed if a participant chooses to withdraw or is removed from the program
- If a recognition sign is vandalized, the Township may repair, replace, relocate, or remove the sign, subject to the availability of Township resources
- Recognition signs are not provided to participants adopting catch basins
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Recognition Sign Design
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- In the case of an individual or family that has adopted a street, park, trail, or creek, only the individual’s legal name, or legal family name, will be displayed on the sign (e.g. The Wilson’s).
- In the case of an organization, company, or business that has adopted a street, park, trail, or creek, only the registered legal name of the organization, company, or business will be displayed on the sign.
- Proof of legal name will be required prior to a sign being made and installed.
- Signs will adhere to design elements determined by the program and will be installed in compliance with the Township of Langley Sign Bylaw 2012 No. 4927 and Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2010 No.4758
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General
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- The Township reserves the right to modify the program guidelines at any time and for any reason, in the Township’s sole discretion.
- The Township reserves the right to deny or cancel a participant’s inclusion in the program at any time in consideration of the following:
- A participant’s non-compliance with the program guidelines;
- Costs or resources associated with administering the program;
- An excess number of applications for participation in the program;
- An unavailability of adoptable areas in the Township;
- Any other consideration noted in the Adopt-a-Program Policy
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