Knowledge Base

Celebrate 20 Years of A Litter Bit Better 

February 25, 2026 - ROCHESTER, MINN. – As snow melts and litter becomes more visible each spring, A Litter Bit Better offers a chance to turn awareness into action. In 2026, Rochester residents are invited to join a beloved community tradition as A Litter Bit Better celebrates its 20th anniversary. The idea began in 2006 when two community members approached Mayor Ardell Brede and the Chamber of Commerce with a vision: a city-wide litter cleanup effort. The Mayor brought together a team of organizations and together they launched what would become the annual Help Make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! event.  

From April 25 to May 3, Rochester will celebrate two decades of neighbors working side-by-side to keep our community clean, healthy and beautiful. Since the first clean up event, volunteers have removed more than 177 tons of litter from streets, parks and waterways across the community. What started as a small cleanup effort has grown into a powerful example of collective action and community pride.  

How to Participate: 

• Pick a location – Choose a cleanup spot on the registration map or suggest a new location. 
• Pick a date – Clean up any day between April 25 and May 3. 
• Pick it up! – Grab your bags and get started. 

Individuals, families, neighbors, classrooms and workplaces are all encouraged to participate. Registration details, maps, and volunteer tips are available at Spring 2026 Litter Bit Better — RNeighbors. Registration closes on April 23. 

Celebrate with Special Anniversary Events & Programs

To commemorate the 20th anniversary, several partner programs and events will take place throughout the spring. Together, these efforts highlight how small actions, from picking up litter to rethinking waste, add up to meaningful environmental impact.

• Mayoral Proclamation - To kick off the anniversary celebration, Mayor Kim Norton will issue a proclamation on April 22 recognizing the 20th anniversary of A Litter Bit Better and honoring the long-standing commitment of volunteers, partners and residents who have helped make the program a success. 
• Name the Street Sweepers Contest – In celebration of A Litter Bit Better’s 20th year, community members are invited to submit creative names for Rochester’s street sweepers, highlighting the role street sweeping plays in keeping litter and pollutants out of storm drains. Submissions can be made here: https://forms.office.com/g/CqECb6P4Xu
• Transforming Trash: Artist-in-Residence Program – Olmsted County’s Artist-in-Residence program uses art to reimagine waste and spark conversations about reuse, consumption and sustainability. Learn more at Transforming Trash
• EarthFest Expo – May 2– A family-friendly community event focused on sustainability, environmental stewardship and local action. Learn more and “Save the Date!”
• Rain Barrel Program – Residents in the Kutzky, Washington and Lowertown neighborhoods are eligible to apply for a cost-share program for rain barrels to help reduce stormwater runoff and protect local waterways. Learn more and apply at Rain Barrel Program Application

A Community Effort

A Litter Bit Better is made possible through partnerships with Durst Outdoor Services, Waste Management, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, RNeighbors and the City of Rochester Public Works Environmental Services.