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Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring with me to volunteer?

  • Water bottle

  • Sunscreen

  • Allergy meds

  • Gloves (if you want to use your own)

  • Close toed shoes

  • ​Dress to get dirty!

What equipment is provided? 

  • Long-armed trash pickers

  • 30-gallon garbage bags fit to hold with one hand

  • New or regularly-laundered rubber gloves

  • Emergency whistles

  • Safety vests

  • Cans for sharps disposal

  • Specific scoopers for dog waste

  • Over-the-shoe cleats for traction in steep or slippery areas

  • Waders for entering streams

  • Specially designed nets for removing litter from water streams

How do you ensure volunteer safety?

  • Location -- Rubbish Roundup locations are scoped out prior to meeting time to ensure the location is safe

  • Buddy system -- Volunteers pick up litter in a buddy system to ensure no volunteer is alone

  • Equipment -- Volunteers are provided with whistles to alert R3 employees of sharps or other dangers, and are provided with other necessary equipment like reflective vests, first-aid kits, pepper spray, NARCAN, and a list of emergency numbers to call for immediate public assistance

  • Minors -- Volunteers under the age of 18 are accompanied by an adult.

  • Weather -- Weather is closely monitored day of event, and R3 events will be canceled in the event of dangerous weather conditions

I want to volunteer, but I'm not available on Tuesdays. How can I help out?  

There are a couple of options for you! Occasionally we have other groups host their own Rubbish Roundup, which may be a day or time that works for your schedule. Check our events page to see if there's any upcoming events. Or, consider hosting your own Rubbish Roundup! Get some friends or coworkers together and we will supply all of the equipment you need. If these options don't work for you, consider donating! We use the funds for equipment and supporting our employees, and are grateful for every amount donated. 

I found a needle, what do I do?

Sharps, such as needles, are commonly found and knowing what to do in these situations is very important for keeping everyone safe. In the event a sharp is found, alert a R3 employee by blowing your whistle. DO NOT pick up the sharp; only R3 employees are to handle sharps. They will use gloves and a long-armed picker to safely place sharps in a sharps-designated container. These sharps are later taken to a secure drop-off location where they are processed for proper disposal.

Can I recommend a location that needs attention?

Absolutely! We have a hotline for this exact purpose. Please text or call us at 719.238.1161, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Can I volunteer if I'm under 18 years old?

Yes, but you will need to be accompanied by an adult. 

How can I become a partner with R3?

We love our partners! Please email us at info@richardsrubbishroundup.org.

How can I stay informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities?

Check our events page on our website, and follow along on Instagram for live updates. We sometimes have to cancel our events due to weather, and Instagram is the best place to check for changes. You can also join our email newsletter. 

How do I donate?

You can donate on our website through our DONATE page. Other options:

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