Adopt-A-Business Program

Business Block Captain Responsibilities

Adopt-A-Business Captains sign up for a one-year period. If at any time you leave or need to end your participation for any reason, you may do so by notifying us. At the end of your one-year period, you are able to renew your block adoption. As a business block captain, your commitment is to keep the block on which your business is located, and any storm drains within it, free of litter and debris on an ongoing basis, to communicate with your neighbors about your efforts, and to encourage them to get involved as well. Spend four hours per month (weather permitting) cleaning up the block and reaching out to neighbors. This may mean picking up trash daily, once a week with a few employees or volunteers, or a larger monthly cleanup where everyone is involved.

Tools & Supplies

Each business block captain receives a cleanup kit that includes garbage bags, gloves and a Keep Huntington Beautiful T-shirt. We will provide you with additional gloves and trash bags as needed during regular business hours.

Block Boundaries

As a block business captain, you agree to keep the block on which your business is located free of litter and debris. You are responsible for cleaning up both sides of your street, and the side of each alley that pertains to your block, including storm drains. If you have any questions about your boundaries, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Business Litter Checklist

INSIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT

• Are self-serve items (straws, napkins, utensils, condiment cups, etc.) in areas that are convenient? Are they in appropriate dispensers to encourage guests to take only what’s needed?
• Are trash and recycling receptacles located at exits and other areas that help customers avoid littering?
• Do you provide a written schedule for employees to ensure frequent and regular maintenance of:
  • Receptacles.
  • Self-serve counters.
  • Common seating areas.
  • Restrooms.
  • Floors.
• Is there appropriate/sufficient signage or other messaging to encourage customers to clear tables and dispose properly of their remaining items?
• Are ashtrays and receptacles conveniently located near your establishment?

OUTSIDE AREAS: PARKING LOTS AND DRIVE-THROUGH AREAS

• Receptacles:
  • Are there sufficient trash and recycling receptacles, considering the size of your premises, kind of traffic and volume of business?
  • Are the receptacles you use the most effective, in terms of style, type and volume?
  • Are receptacles placed where litter tends to accumulate? Take a good look at the end of the business day to evaluate.
  • Do you need to add an ash receptacle?
  • Do receptacles have closed tops or lids to prevent items from blowing out and becoming litter?
• Maintenance:
  • Is the maintenance schedule based on usage or volume? Monitor to determine how frequently you need to collect to prevent overflowing dumpsters.
  • Is there a written maintenance schedule? Receptacles may overflow during rush hours when team members are busiest elsewhere.

OUTSIDE AREAS: SERVICE/TRASH AREAS

• Bulk Refuse Container System
  • Does the dumpster/container have enough capacity to hold all refuse generated between collections?
  • Do lids close tightly?
  • Are overflows or spills cleaned up quickly?
  • Are pickups scheduled to meet volume needs?
  • When private trash haulers are used, does your contract specify use of covered trucks for collection?
• Deliveries:
  • Are deliveries required to be stacked neatly in the loading area to prevent litter at the loading dock or back door?
  • Are delivery-truck personnel encouraged to use trash/recycling receptacles?
  • Do your employees compact shipping cartons and boxes and put them in recycling containers immediately?

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

• Is trapped or accumulated litter removed wherever it occurs on the property?
• Are there frequent, regularly scheduled cleanups of the entire property?
• Are planted areas regularly maintained?
• Do you use messaging to encourage customers to clean their tables and properly dispose of trash and recyclables?
• Are outdoor tables cleaned after each table turn? Is the parking lot weed-free?
• Is the entire outdoor area well-lit with no dark corners to hide litter?

SIDEWALKS AND STREETS

• Is there a written schedule for frequent sidewalk and drainage/gutter cleaning?
• Is litter put into receptacles and not swept or pushed into gutters?
• Are additional receptacles installed on the sidewalk beyond the property line in all directions?
• Do you increase maintenance when construction or demolition occurs in the area?
• Are contractors encouraged to maintain a high level of cleanliness at their construction and demolition sites?

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO CONNECT WITH TECH-SAVVY NEIGHBORS AND SHARE YOUR EFFORTS

• Facebook, TikTok, Blogging, X, Snapchat, and/or Instagram.
• Join our Adopt-A-Block Captain Facebook page to connect with other captains.

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

• Wear a Keep Huntington Beautiful T-shirt when you work to formalize your cleanup activities.
• Always smile and wave.