Getting Started

From Keep Ferguson Beautiful

Signing Up

The first thing to do is to sign up. It's important that you do this, because it helps us to make sure that we're getting every street covered on a suitable schedule. To sign up for organized events, go to the Work Event Signup Page. To join the "adopt a block" program, follow the instructions on the Ferguson Street Directory.

Before doing either of these, we recommend that you set up an account on this website. To do this, click on the link at the top right corner of this page.

Getting Supplies

Some of you who participate in our "adopt a block" program will need supplies. We have disposal plastic gloves, and can give you a supply when you sign up. Personally, I find it easiest to wear one glove, and use the other hand to carry my bag. While we do have large trash bags which we use at organized events, you'll probably find it easier to use a grocery bag. On less busy streets, you are unlikely to have enough trash to fill a large bag - and if you did, the bag would probably be heavier than you'd want to carry. If my grocery bag gets full, I just empty it in the nearest trash can.

What to pick up - what to leave

It's your choice as to what you pick up and what you leave. But as a recommended guideline, here's what I do:

• Leave the butts. If you tried to pick up cigarette butts, you'd never finish the job. And, between the street sweeper and the sewers, they all leave anyway.

• Newspapers are a judgment call. Some people just don't pick up their Suburban Journal, and a pile of them at the end of a driveway is an unsightly mess. But even one newspaper can be too much to carry. And, I view this as the homeowner's responsibility. Bottom line is, if I'm near a disposal point, and there is a particularly old paper sitting there, I'll take it. But I don't feel obliged.

• Big things first. If I have time, I pick up every scrap of paper and candy wrapper. If I'm in a hurry, I'll grab cans and bottles, and leave the rest for next time.

• Recycle if you can. If you are walking home, cans and bottles can go in your brown recycling toter. This makes your effort even more valuable.