Mayor Lee Announces Latest Chapter of "Keep the Town Clean" Initiative: Dates for Citywide Cleanups Through May 2026

Date: October 15, 2025

News from: Mayor's Office

Mayor Lee Announces Latest Chapter of "Keep the Town Clean" Initiative: Dates for Citywide Cleanups Through May 2026

Mayor's Office Contact: 

Justin Phillips 

jbphillips@oaklandca.gov (Oakland, CA) — Mayor Barbara Lee announces the next phase of the Mayor’s "Keep the Town Clean" initiative, a key part of the City’s comprehensive effort to combat illegal dumping and clean up neighborhoods across Oakland. The next phase of the "Keep the Town Clean" initiative will  build on the prior successes of the program, which has hauled away over 30 tons of waste from around schools and clearing trash from 50 miles of streets, by adding a new round of monthly cleanups and trash removal “block parties” that will hit every council district through spring 2026.  

"When I walk through our neighborhoods, I see a city full of potential, creativity and pride, but I also see the toll that illegal dumping takes on the places we call home," Mayor Lee said. "As Mayor, my goal is to make Oakland the cleanest, safest, greenest city in America and Keep the Town Clean helps us continue on this path." 

(Additional information to come. Click this link to RSVP and participate.)

Business Corridor Cleanup Schedule Dates 

• Thursday, Nov 13, 2025  

• Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025 

• Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 

• Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 

• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 

• Thursday, April 9, 2026 

• Wednesday, May 13, 2026 

Residential "Bulky Block Party" Street Activation Dates 

Each event brings 40-foot dumpsters to neighborhoods, coordinated with schools and community partners: 

• Friday, Nov 21, 2025 

• Friday, Dec 12, 2025 

• Friday, Jan 23, 2026 

• Friday, Feb 20, 2026 

• Friday, March 13, 2026 

• Friday, April 17, 2026

• Friday, May 1, 2026 

"Seeing folks come together from our Fruitvale neighborhood, as well as folks from West Oakland and many other neighborhoods, to give some love to our corner of Oakland was really inspiring," said Manzanita SEED Principal Rachelle McManus, which hosted a KTTC cleanup over the summer. "When the streets that our children walk and drive on are clean, families are able to get to school safely. We're grateful that the Mayor is partnering with schools and neighborhoods in this kind of community driven event." 

In close coordination with the Mayor’s Office, Oakland Public Works now operates seven days a week, with weekend cleanup blitzes, overtime surge teams, and new zone-based assignments designed to respond faster and keep streets cleaner. These expanded operations reflect the City’s commitment to maintaining safe, welcoming neighborhoods for every Oakland resident.  

To further strengthen partnerships with the community, Oakland is also developing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that will allow local organizations and community groups to partner directly with the City on beautification and cleanup efforts. Oakland residents can now book free bulky waste removal at oaklandrecycles.com/bulky-service and the city is continuing to elevate it’s Adopt-A-Spot program, which provides free tool loans, resources, and staff support to volunteers to pick up litter and organize block cleanups. The Adopt-A-Spot program not only helps keep the city clean but also builds community connections, beautifies shared spaces, and promotes environmental sustainability. 

"I encourage Oaklanders to help us Keep the Town Clean by reporting illegal dumping through 311," Mayor Lee said. "Together, we're building an Oakland where our streets reflect the dignity, pride and resilience of this community. Don't trash the Town, let's lift it up."