Community. It’s the one thing we all need to live a fulfilled life, but once we enter into a new community, we rarely put in real effort to become deeply entrenched in it and work to make it even better. Something all of us know, even if we don’t put it into practice is, keeping your community clean and well-maintained is essential for the overall well-being of all of its residents. Whether you consider your community your neighborhood, apartment complex, or even just your shared workspace, there are easy ways to keep your community better than you found it. In turn, you will be part of building up your locale.
Here are a few simple ways you can make a positive impact on your community:
1. Pick up trash
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to keep your community looking and feeling its best is to simply pick up litter. Whether you pick up some trash while taking your morning walk around the neighborhood or simply pick up litter as you come across it, this small action can have a big impact. It’s an easy way to show that you care about your community and are committed to keeping it clean. Besides keeping your community clean, this little action also makes you a steward of the outdoors!
If you’re looking to amp up your effort, organize a community clean-up! This is a great way to bring people together, meet new community members and make a real difference at your home. You can enlist the help of your neighbors, local businesses, or even community groups like scouts or youth groups. Not sure where to begin? Check out this blog on Planning Your Own Cleanup Event.
2. Work out your green thumb: Plant flowers or trees
Adding greenery to your community will not only make it more beautiful, but it can also improve air quality and provide shade on a hot day. Planting flowers or trees is a great way to bring people together to work towards a common goal. Create a goal, set a date and rally up your neighbors for a fun afternoon of gardening! Reach out to your HOA to see if they will donate some plants for you to get started.
3. Become a recycling advocate
Encouraging recycling in your community can help reduce waste, conserve resources, and reduce pollution. It’s an easy way to make a difference and can be done by educating the community about the benefits of recycling. You would be surprised by how few people know how to properly recycle. For example, did you know you’re supposed to rinse out food and drink containers for them to be properly recycled? Sadly, only 9% of recycled goods are properly recycled. The rest has to go to wastelands. All of us have the power to educate our friends, family and neighbors and with that education, we can make a positive impact on our communities.
4. Promote safety
All of us want to live in a safer place, but few of us contribute to a safer environment. Keeping your community safe is crucial for the well-being of its residents. Simple actions like reporting suspicious activity, participating in neighborhood watch programs, and being aware of your surroundings can make a big impact. Your doorbell and yard cameras can act as a great deterrent for burglars, but it also can help out your neighbors! Encourage others to get involved to build a more well protected neighborhood.
5. Show appreciation for your community
One of the best ways to keep your community better than you found it is to simply show appreciation for it. Take the time to thank your neighbors, local businesses, and community leaders for all they do. Show gratitude for the community and all the good things it provides.
Our favorite way of showing gratitude to our neighbors is by hosting a community BBQ event with plenty of beer each summer. Getting to know your neighbors also helps with keeping your neighborhood safer. Be sure to exchange numbers and keep in touch!
6. Be a good neighbor
Building positive relationships with your neighbors is one of the most effective ways of improving your community. Make the extra effort to get to know your neighbors, and help them out when they need it. This can be as simple as lending a tool or offering to pick up their mail while they’re away. They will be more likely to reciprocate and that’s how friendships form!
Taking the extra steps to make your community better than you found it doesn’t have to be a big undertaking. It really can be as simple as picking up litter, planting flowers, or being a good neighbor. By working together and taking small actions, we can make a big impact on our communities and create a better, happier place for everyone to live. Every small action counts and adds up to much more. Together we can make our community a better place.
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