Spring has arrived in downtown Spokane, and the community is invited to get outside between April 19 and April 23 to help make our city center shine.

All it takes is 15 minutes a week to keep your community clean all year long. Pledge to spend 15 minutes by yourself, or with a team, cleaning up problem areas you see. Clean-up spaces around your home or place of business, or contact the Downtown Spokane office to coordinate a clean-up and receive supplies and assistance.

For those taking the time to clean in downtown, these are the recommended emphasis areas for each day.

• Monday: Sidewalks
• Tuesday: Graffiti and parking lots
• Wednesday: Alleyways
• Thursday: Planter and tree beds

Business and individuals can make the pledge to reduce waste, litter and energy use. During Spring Clean Week implement one, or several, of the suggestions below and make a big difference a little bit at a time.

• The number one item of litter is food waste. Offer a deal for diners who bring in their own mugs or re-usable containers for to-go beverages.
• Establish smoking areas with appropriate ash receptacles for employees and customers.
• Encourage customers to bring their own bag, sell re-usable cloth bags or only use bags for large and bulky items.
• Plant and maintain flowers along a curb or sidewalk. People litter less where areas have been beautified.
• Open garbage cans will get rummaged through. Invest in a locking dumpster or a gated area to dispose of trash. Work with neighboring properties to collaborate on the best place for trash to go.
• Install motion sensor lights in alley to reduce energy use and create safe, well-lit spaces.

The downtown Clean Team encourages participants to practice public health safety by wearing a mask, staying socially distanced and wearing gloves. When colleting litter in public spaces do not reach into bushes or other areas which may contain potentially harmful items such as drug paraphernalia, needles, broken glass, etc. Use gloves at all times, do not pick anything up with your bare hands. Stay away from biological waste. If you encounter any of the preceding call the Clean Team at 509.624.9111. Report graffiti to the City of Spokane by calling 3-1-1.

For more information about clean week or to request supplies visit www.downtownspokane.org. To sign up as a part of Spokane Gives www.volunteerspokane.org.

Spring Clean Week is presented by Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 with a “can do” spirit, driving its dramatic growth and acquisitions through the years, welcoming other organizations that share its values and fiduciary discipline. Today, Republic Services, Inc. is the second largest provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous solid waste industry. Republic Services provides non-hazardous solid waste and recycling services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers.