Pollution Cleanup
Introduction
Clean ups by their very nature can be dangerous. People have been cut by sharp objects including fishing hooks while cleaning up rivers so make sure to use gloves and protective footwear. Cleaning up in brushy areas can result in scratches from bushes or vines, so long sleeves and trouser legs will help protect your skin from these as well as sunburns or allergy triggers.
When cleaning up oil spills or other chemicals, be especially careful to have the right types of gloves, breathing gear, and even goggles. Some types of cleanup need to be left to professionals with heavy equipment. Organizations need to ensure that workers and volunteers understand safety concerns and are equipped with proper materials.
Clean-Ups by Type
Different types of pollution have different health impacts on humans and wildlife, they also require different equipment and techniques.
Manmade Pollution
Plastic Pollution
Click the Plastic Cleanup button to learn about methods and equipment for removing plastic from aquatic environments. The page also includes maps that show where plastic enters environments such as the ocean, and how it moves around with ocean currents.
PFAS
Click the PFAS Cleanup button to learn about different methods and species that can help us remove PFAS from the environment and our bodies. We also have a PFAS page explaining how PFAS gets into the environment, and how to avoid buying products with PFAS in them.
Organizations
North America
USA
Anthropocene Alliance (A2) "has almost 300 member-communities in 41 U.S. states and territories. They are impacted by flooding, toxic waste, wildfires, and drought and heat — all compounded by reckless development and climate change. The consequence is broken lives and a ravaged environment.
The goal of A2 is to help communities fight back. We do that by providing them organizing support, scientific and technical guidance, and better access to foundation and government funding. Most of all, our work consists of listening to our frontline leaders. Their experience, research, and solidarity guide everything we do, and offer a path toward environmental and social justice.
Supported by outstanding partner organizations with expertise in engineering, hydrology, public health, planning, and the law, A2 leaders have successfully halted developments in climate-vulnerable areas; implemented nature-based hazard mitigation strategies; organized home buyouts; and pushed for clean-ups at superfund sites, toxic landfills, and petrochemical plants.
We support everyone we can, but our special priority is people who have suffered the worst environmental impacts for the longest time; that usually means low-income, Black, Latinx, Native American and other underserved communities.
To learn about our policies, read our A 10-Point Platform on Climate Change."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."
Minnesota
Capital Project Grants "are designed to support final engineering and construction of large-scale, innovative projects that protect or improve water quality and habitat within the MWMO watershed. The MWMO provides both technical and financial assistance to eligible projects. (Smaller-scale projects may be eligible for a Stewardship Fund Grant.)"
Minnesota
MWMO: Community Grants "are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required."