Tap a Litter Free Supply Station

This spring and summer, help make a positive difference for the Chicago-Calumet River system and your neighborhood by organizing a litter cleanup using one of Friends’ Litter Free Supply Stations near you.

During Earth Month this April, nearly 450 people took litter-free action in their communities using the tools provided by our Litter Free Supply Stations. These stations are stocked with everything you need to plan and run a safe, effective cleanup—from gloves and trash bags to grabbers.

“We’re delighted that more and more people are tapping our Litter Free Supply Station network to make a positive impact in their communities,” said Beck Lyons, director of equity and engagement at Friends of the Chicago River. “It’s incredibly inspiring to watch neighbors come together, clean up their streets and parks, and protect the health of the river system.”

Currently, 15 supply stations are active across the Chicago-Calumet River watershed, located at community hubs and open to anyone ready to take action. Each station also includes a Litter Free Toolkit (available in English and Spanish), which guides users through every step of organizing a successful event. Based on years of cleanup experience, the Toolkit covers how to choose a site, prepare volunteers, and manage a smooth cleanup.

The stations are part of the broader Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative, which combines hands-on community engagement with policy advocacy, research, and public-private partnerships to reduce trash and protect our waterways.