Manitoulin Island-Wide Garbage Cleanup – Participant Guidelines

The Manitoulin Island-Wide Garbage Cleanup is a community effort organized by Manitoulin Streams to remove litter from roadsides, shorelines, and natural areas across Manitoulin Island.
Participants are encouraged to clean up anywhere on the island between March 15 and May 15. Whether you collect one bag or many, every effort helps protect our environment.

Who Can Participate
Everyone is welcome to take part.
Participants may include:

• Individuals and families
• Schools and youth groups
• Businesses and organizations
• Community groups and clubs

You may participate once or multiple times throughout the event.


Where to Clean
Participants may clean:

• Roadsides and ditches
• Shorelines and beaches
• Public parks and trails
• Natural areas and green spaces

Please avoid entering private property unless you have permission from the landowner.
Participants may also sign up to help clean a section of Highway 6 as part of the Bridge-to-Boat Challenge, which aims to clean the entire route from the Little Current Swing Bridge to the MS Chi‑Cheemaun.


Safety Guidelines
Your safety is the most important priority.
Participants should:

• Wear high-visibility clothing or vests, especially when cleaning along roads.
• Work in pairs or groups whenever possible.
• Watch for traffic and stay well off the roadway.
• Wear gloves when handling garbage.
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
• Bring water and take breaks when needed.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.


Hazardous or Dangerous Materials
Do not attempt to collect hazardous materials.
Examples include:

• Needles or medical waste
• Chemicals or containers with unknown liquids
• Dead animals
• Large or heavy objects that require special equipment

If you encounter hazardous materials, leave them in place and report them to your local municipality.


Responsible Cleanup Practices
Please help ensure that cleanup efforts are environmentally responsible.
Participants should:

• Separate recyclables when possible.
• Avoid disturbing wildlife or sensitive habitats.
• Leave natural materials such as logs, branches, and plants in place.
• Pack collected garbage securely so it does not blow away.

Dispose of collected garbage through your local municipal waste facilities or approved disposal sites.


Submitting Your Cleanup
Participants are encouraged to submit their cleanup efforts so they can be counted toward event awards.
To submit your cleanup:

1. Take photos of the garbage collected and the cleanup area.
2. Share them through social media or use the submission form.
3. Include information such as:
   • Location of the cleanup
   • Date of the cleanup
   • Number of participants (if applicable)

Submissions help us track the impact of the event and determine award winners.


Event Awards
Submissions will be used to determine winners in the following categories:

• Community Cleanup Award
• School Cleanup Award
• Business / Club Cleanup Award
• Garbage Cleanup Hero (awarded to the individual or individuals who participate on the most days)

All participants are encouraged to submit their cleanups throughout the event.


Bridge-to-Boat Challenge
This year’s special challenge aims to clean 65 km of Highway 6 across Manitoulin Island.
Participants can register to help clean specific sections between the Little Current Swing Bridge and the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry terminal.
While the Bridge-to-Boat Challenge does not have a separate award category, all submissions from these cleanups count toward the main event awards and Garbage Cleanup Hero competition.


Thank You for Helping Keep Manitoulin Beautiful
Every bag of garbage removed from the landscape helps protect wildlife, waterways, and the natural beauty that makes Manitoulin Island special.
Thank you for supporting the work of Manitoulin Streams and helping make our communities cleaner and healthier.