Today, Mayor Anders Ibsen — alongside District 1 Council Member John Hines, District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge, Andrea Haug with Litter Free 253, members of the Tacoma business community, and City crews — gathered at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and South 26th Street to officially launch Tidy-Up Tacoma: Summer 2026. The midday event marked the beginning of an accelerated, citywide cleanup effort focused on Tacoma’s major gateway corridors and visitor routes ahead of a highly anticipated summer season packed with graduations, parades, waterfront celebrations, and sporting events.
Equipped with high-visibility safety gear, litter grabbers, and heavy equipment—including the City’s high-capacity Litter Vac machinery—City crews worked to clear roadside debris and restore public spaces.
“Today is a perfect example of what makes Tacoma so special: our people stepping up together to show pride in our city,” said Mayor Ibsen. “We know this summer is going to bring thousands of families, neighbors, and visitors downtown to celebrate. By accelerating our cleanup efforts now, we are ensuring our gateways are clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone, while creating a foundation for a beautiful city that lasts long after summer ends.”
“Something I have always loved about Tacoma is our willingness to roll up our sleeves and get to work cleaning up our city,” said Council Member Hines. “We have a long history of community-led litter clean-ups and committed residents that dedicate themselves to tidying up Tacoma for all of us. Litter cleanups are not only an easy way to make a big impact in our city, but also an amazing community building and civic engagement opportunity. Our Tidy-Up Tacoma program makes it as easy as possible for people to get involved, whether it is picking up litter on your street or getting together with others and doing the entire neighborhood. Programs like Adopt-a-Spot and Neighborhood Litter Patrols help provide all the gear for free, including trash bags, safety vests, and trash grabbers. I also urge all our residents and visitors to become litter leaders and help us keep Tacoma beautiful all year long.”
“Our residents have made it clear that cleaner streets, public spaces, and gateways matter,” said Council Member Sadalge. “What inspires me is that so many people are already taking action by organizing cleanups, picking up litter, and investing their time in the neighborhoods they love. I am proud of the multitude of resident-led community clean ups that occur across District 4. This year, we’re building on that momentum by strategically leveraging Tidy-up Tacoma and community partnerships to have the greatest impact as Tacoma welcomes major events, visitors, and opportunities this summer.”
The Tidy-Up Tacoma: Summer 2026 campaign is designed to blend intensive environmental maintenance with the City’s ongoing commitment to public safety and human services. As part of the initiative, the City’s Homeless Engagement Alternative Liaison (HEAL) Team is conducting proactive, services-first outreach along high-traffic transit corridors.
To support the momentum of the summer initiative, the City is offering specialized tools to empower residents and private property owners:
- Data Dashboard: Community members can track cleanup progress and litter collection data at tacoma.gov/tidyupdashboard.
- Volunteer Support Package: The City is providing community groups with safety gear, cleanup supplies, and rapid debris disposal routing to streamline localized volunteer efforts.
- Graffiti Removal Partnership: Eligible private property owners can access free graffiti removal services and direct reimbursement support. Details are available here.
“Litter Free 253 represents neighbors taking ownership and investing in their community and Tidy-Up Tacoma represents the City’s commitment to supporting those efforts,” said Andrea Haug with Litter Free 253. “Together, we are proving that the best solutions happen when residents and local government work side by side to care for the places we all share.”
The City encourages residents to continue using the 311 system to report areas needing attention, so City crews can deploy resources efficiently. More information on how to get involved or access free cleanup supplies, visit tacoma.gov/communitycleanups.