Residents in the City of Euclid and the neighboring Collinwood neighborhood are playing dirty again—it’s time for the eighth annual The Big Clean to see which neighborhood can collect the most bags of trash in a friendly competition and celebration of Earth Day.

Euclid took home the title last year, with 204 bags of trash collected, but Collinwood secured back-to-back Big Clean victories in 2021 and 2022. Who will take the honor this year when approximately 200 volunteers are expected to span both neighborhoods on Saturday, April 26?

It’s anyone’s guess.

Picking up trash at The Big CleanSome argue that Euclid is bigger than Collinwood in area and population, and therefore has more volunteers, while others contend that the Collinwood teams hustle to collect their garbage and keep their competitive edge.

Organizers say everyone in both cities wins with cleaner neighborhoods they can be proud of. “The Big Clean is about bringing neighbors together during Earth Day weekend to build community in support of cleaner streets, a cleaner Lake Erie, and a cleaner Planet for us all,” they state.

The rivalry is heating up, as registration for the Big Clean 2025 is now open. Individuals, families, groups, and businesses are encouraged to take part, and early registration enters the participants in a raffle to win prizes from local Big Clean supporters and sponsors.

Then on Saturday, April 26 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., pick up cleanup supply kits (gloves, bags, pickers, and other goodies from community partners) from either Milton Drive in Memorial Park in Euclid (enter via East 222nd Street and exit via Babbitt Road), or at Waterloo Arts, 16500 Waterloo Road in Collinwood. In the event of rain, supply pick-up will be inside C.E. Orr Ice Arena, 22550 Milton Ave.

With supply kits in hand, head out to the cleanup location chosen during online registration and get cleaning!

Once groups have finished cleaning their designated areas, bring the haul back to the massive dumpster near C.E. Orr Ice Arena to be counted. Trash tallies will start being counted right at noon, so don’t be late!

Trash bags can also be placed in your city trash can, but before throwing the bags away, take a selfie with your trash bags and post it to social media bag count with your cleanup city and the tag #thebigclean before 12 p.m. Cleanup organizers will use the posts to tally total trash bags.

Picking up trash at The Big CleanParticipants are encouraged to take selfies with their collected trash bags and share them on social media using #thebigclean. These posts will inspire others and highlight the community's success in waste reduction.

Following the cleanup, an eco-fair will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at C.E. Orr Ice Arena. Attendees can enjoy food, drinks, music, and raffle prizes while engaging with organizations like Friends of Euclid Creek, Euclid Shade Tree Commission, Meadow City Native Plant Nursery, and Tansy Recycling.

The organizers say the event is a great opportunity to learn more about living sustainably and protecting the planet. Participating in The Big Clean provides a chance to earn community service hours, builds team spirit, and contributes to a cleaner, greener environment. The event is meant to ensure cleaner streets, preserve a healthier Lake Erie, and create a brighter future for all.

For more information or to register a large group, email Euclid planning and development coordinator Christine McIntosh. Updates are available on the Big Clean event's Facebook page, and further details can be found on the City of Euclid’s Big Clean page.

The organizers invite everyone to unite for a lasting impact and build a cleaner, healthier community. We look forward to counting your bags!