• Bellevue is committed to maintaining a clean and vibrant city. Let’s work together to keep Bellevue beautiful!

    Adopt-A-Street is a volunteer-based program that encourages and resources individuals, families, businesses and community groups to take an active role in keeping our streets free from litter. By adopting a street, you can make a difference in your community and contribute to a healthier environment.

    Adopt-A-Street map to see what streets have been adopted

    Adopt-A-Street Map

    The Adopt-A-Street map shows which streets or sections of streets have been adopted. 

    Explore the Adopt-A-Street map

    How to Adopt-A-Street

    • Step-by-Step

      1. Sign up and choose your street:

      Complete the Adopt-A-Street application. Here you can select a street in Bellevue you would like to adopt. Our program coordinator can help you find an area that needs attention.

      Submit your application

      2. Get approved:

      Once approved, you will get connected to the program coordinator to review all the necessary information and forms.

      3. Get equipped:

      The City of Bellevue will provide you with safety vests, gloves, trash bags and litter grabbers. Use our easy cleanup supply request form to schedule your supply pick up.

      4. Start cleaning:

      Organize cleanup events at your convenience. We require a minimum of four cleanup per year, but you are welcome to do more to keep your adopted street looking its best.

      5. Report your work:

      After each cleanup, report the amount of litter collected, number of participants and more. This helps us track the program's impact and provides valuable data for future planning.

      Submit cleanup report

    • Volunteer Forms

      Volunteering with an Adopt-A-Street group?

      All volunteers must sign in at the start of each cleanup.

      Volunteer sign-in form

      Safety Guidelines

      All volunteers are required to complete a Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk every two years. Please use the online form to complete it.

      Complete Liability Waiver

      If you are unable to use the online form, you can access a pdf version here – PDF link

    Program Commitment

    • What am I committing to when I adopt a street?
      • You are committing to regularly clean up a designated stretch of the right of way next to a street for a minimum of four times a year, for two years.
    • I’m not able to commit to adopting a street but I would like to participate, how can I get involved?
      • We encourage you to join one of our Signature Streets cleanup events provided by the city. You can also contact the program coordinator to connect with other residents in your area who are holding their own cleanups.

    Eligibility

    • Who can adopt a street?
      • Individuals, families, community groups, businesses and other organizations can adopt a street.

    Adoption Details

    • How can I see which streets have been adopted?
    • How many people are needed to adopt a street?
      • Only one individual is needed to adopt a street, but we recommend that you invite friends or neighbors to join you in your cleanups.
    • Do I need to live or work in the area that I want to adopt?
      • No, you do not need to live or work in the area you want to adopt.
    • Is there a limit to the length or how many streets can I adopt?
      • There is no maximum limit on the length of street a volunteer can adopt, but we encourage volunteers to choose a manageable length. You are also welcome to clean additional streets without officially adopting them.
    • What if the street I want to adopt is already adopted?
      • We encourage you to first check with our Adopt-A-Street coordinator for the list of top hot spots that need to be adopted. If you still want to adopt a street that’s already been adopted, we do welcome overlapping adoptions. Each person or group adopting a street will still be displayed on our map, even if there is overlap.

    Reporting and Changes

    • Do I need to let city staff know each time I go out to cleanup?
      • We require the adopter or team leader to complete a cleanup report within three working days after a cleanup. You do not need to inform the city before you go out to cleanup.
    • Am I able to change my adopted street?

    Youth Participation

    • Can kids and teens participate in the program?
      • We strongly encourage youth to participate in the program! It is a great way for teens to complete their required community service, and to connect with other members of the community. 
      • We do require all youth 13 years or younger have a parent or guardian present at the cleanup.

    Supplies and Equipment

    • If I adopted a street, can I get extra supplies for my friends or neighbors to join me?
      • As an Adopt-A-Street volunteer, you are welcome to pick up any additional supplies needed for others in your group.
      • Your neighbor can also sign up separately, though it is not required.
    • What supplies will I get when I adopt a street?
      • The city will provide you with branded Adopt-A-Street trash bags, a pair of reusable gloves, a safety vest, and a litter grabber.
    • How can I get more supplies and where do I pick them up?
      • To receive more supplies, please complete the Supplies Request Form. Supplies will need to be picked up from Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004).
    • Is there a limit on how many supplies I can request?
      • We are happy to provide you with the supplies you need for your cleanup, however, supplies are limited. The city will provide supplies based on availability. Depending on the number of supplies requested, you will be required to return the supplies after your cleanup. Please be mindful of the quantity requested due to limited availability and associated costs.

    Trash Disposal

    • What do I do with my filled adopt-a-street bags after a cleanup?
      • Please dispose of the Adopt-A-Street branded trash bags by placing filled trash bags next to the Republic Services bins at an approved Adopt-A-Street Bellevue residence or inside a dumpster approved by the city.
      • Please note that at each residence, you can only dispose of two (2) filled Adopt-A-Street trash bags per weekly Republic Services trash pickup.
    • What do I do with larger items that do not fit in my adopt-a-street bags?
    • What do I do if I find a needle or other hazardous material?
      • Do NOT pick up syringes, hypodermic needles, broken glass, exceptionally large and heavy objects, or any other hazardous item. Please notify the city through the MyBellevue app or contact the program coordinator.