Working as a team
Adopt-a-Spot (including roads, parks, beaches, waterways) is a safe, healthy and enjoyable educational litter clean-up and prevention program that gives local communities the opportunity to contribute towards a healthier local environment.
With over 174,000 kms of State and local government maintained roads alone in Queensland, litter removal is a major exercise, which is costly to the community.
Adopt-a-Spot mobilises an army of community-focused individuals, families, schools, community groups and businesses who clean their local adopted site. The programs purpose is to engage and educate the community that littering is a social offense and an unacceptable action.
How it works
Adopt-a-Spot supports volunteers to undertake coordinated litter clean-ups and other activities in approved public spaces in their community.
Groups pledge to carry out their activities on a regular basis - at least four times a year, however many groups conduct more frequent clean-ups or revegetation activities. Adopt-a-Spot groups are encouraged to take 'ownership' of their adopted area, which will result in increased civic pride and a noticeable reduction in litter.
It is up to the interested group to decide on the area they wish to adopt (road corridors require a minimum of 2km) and register their interest with Keep Queensland Beautiful.
Applications are assessed and forwarded to the local authority for additional assessment. Once preliminary approval is received, Keep Queensland Beautiful will liaise with the group leader to prepare a simple Site Safety Plan.
The Site Safety Plan ensures that any issues regarding personal safety are addressed; highlighting all potential hazards and obstacles that need further discussion.
At the completion of each activity, the group leader submits a data collection report to Keep Queensland Beautiful. This report gives us vital information about your work and helps us to provide you with ongoing support.
After four clean-ups in a twelve month period, permanent recognition signage is installed to acknowledge the efforts of your group and to inform the public the area is being cared for - this itself is a litter prevention tool.
Why Adopt a Spot?
Queenslanders have for far too long been frustrated by litter in public spaces, damaging the environment and detracting from the amenity and utility of our parks and public spaces.
The latest National Litter Index statistics show that Queensland is still the most littered main-land State in Australia. A reputation no Queenslander is proud of.
Litter on our roadways and in public spaces washes into stormwater drains entering local creeks, rivers and waterways. This deadly litter not only damages the environment and affects our enjoyment of activities, it is also deadly to marine and wildlife.
By removing litter, Adopt-a-Spot groups are sending a clear message to the community that littering is unacceptable behaviour, not only in their community, but across Queensland (and Australia).