Clean Neighborhoods

Adopt-A-Block

Program Overview

Tackle the litter on your block. Make a citywide difference.

If everyone does a little bit, it makes a huge difference. The Adopt-A-Block program empowers neighbors to help beautify their community starting with the city’s smallest unit—the block. We provide free tools and resources, and you commit to keeping your block free of litter. 

Our nearly 1,000 Block Captains – who cover more than 230 miles of Indy blocks – have helped contribute to the tons upon tons of litter we clean up across the city each year. They are also leaders in developing pocket parks, community tree plantings and vibrant greenspace projects throughout the city.

Find Your Block.

Program Details

Neighborhood

Your Commitment

  • Bring your neighbors together (young and old) to set goals, share the work of beautifying your block, and spend time with each other.
  • Work with your neighbors to keep your block clean, whether that means daily pickup, a weekly cleanup, or a monthly effort.
  • Let your neighbors know about the resources available for your block through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
  • Talk to residents about what you’re doing when you’re out cleaning your block. See if you can recruit new block captains on other streets in your neighborhood to expand your impact.

What KIB Provides

  • Each block coordinator receives a cleanup kit that includes trash bags, gloves, and your choice of four items: a broom, shovel, coated-gloves, dustpan, bucket, reflective vest, and litter-grabber.
    • You also receive an Adopt-A-Block t-shirt and annual renewal supplies.
  • We also host captain meetings to help block captains connect with the large community of block captains and access additional learning opportunities. 
  • We offer a KIB Adopt-A-Block metal sign for a desired location along your block!
  • Each captain is eligible to receive a FREE TREE and FREE perennials in the fall each year while supplies last!
  • To encourage friendly competition and understand where litter concentrates, KIB scores each block on a scale of 1 to 4. A score of 1 indicates a litter-free block, whereas 4 indicates heavily littered.


Business

As a business captain, you can be a community connector, increase curb appeal, and help contribute to a greener and cleaner Indianapolis!

Your Commitment

  • Increase your curb appeal, whether that means daily pickup, a weekly cleanup, or a monthly effort.
    • We suggest cleaning a minimum of every other week.
  • Be a community connector. Encourage your neighbors, customers, and partners to share in the work of beautifying your block and getting to know each other.
  • Let your customers know about the resources available for your block through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
  • Talk to residents about what you’re doing when you’re out cleaning your block. See if you can recruit new business block captains on other streets to expand your impact.

What KIB Provides

  • A cleanup kit that includes trash bags, gloves, and your choice of four items: a broom, shovel, coated-gloves, dustpan, bucket, reflective vest, and litter-grabber.
    • You also receive an Adopt-A-Block t-shirt and annual renewal supplies.
    • You can choose to donate your supply kit back to the Adopt-A-Block resident program if your company does not need the tools.
  • A “KIB Adopt-A-Block Business Program Block Captain” window decal to proudly display your commitment to cleaning and greening Indy.
    • Receive a new sticker for every year of participation.
  • We offer a KIB Adopt-A-Block metal sign for a desired location along your block!
  • Media and website recognition through the KIB website, Adopt-A-Block map, annual report, and monthly newsletters.
  • We also host captain meetings to help block captains connect with the large community of block captains and access additional learning opportunities. 
  • Business captains are eligible to receive a FREE TREE and FREE perennials in the fall each year while supplies last!
  • To encourage friendly competition and understand where litter concentrates, KIB scores each block on a scale of 1 to 4. A score of 1 indicates a litter-free block, whereas 4 indicates heavily littered. 


School

Schools participating in the Adopt-A-Block program give students hands-on opportunities to engage in civic leadership. Together, students make a visible difference in their communities.

Your Commitment

  • Bring your school community together (young and old) to set goals, share the work of beautifying your block, and spend time with each other.
  • Gain the cooperation of students, staff, and parents to keep your block clean, whether that means daily pickup, a weekly cleanup, or a monthly effort.
    • Note: Schools may be scored during school breaks.
  • Let your school community know about the resources available for your block through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. From captain meetings to trees, we’re here to help!

What KIB Provides

  • Each school coordinator receives a cleanup kit that includes trash bags, gloves, and your choice of four items: a broom, shovel, coated-gloves, dustpan, bucket, reflective vest, and litter-grabber.
    • You also receive an Adopt-A-Block t-shirt and annual renewal supplies.
  • To encourage friendly competition and understand where litter concentrates, KIB scores each block on a scale of 1 to 4. A score of 1 indicates a litter-free block, whereas 4 indicates heavily littered. 
  • We offer a KIB Adopt-A-Block metal sign for a desired location along your block!
  • School captains are eligible to receive a FREE TREE and FREE perennials in the fall each year while supplies last! 
  • We also host captain meetings to help block captains connect with the large community of block captains and access additional learning opportunities. 

 

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