New Clean Team Showing Big Results in First Months on the Job

Published on May 19, 2025

By Office of Communication

Arlington is taking noticeable steps to keep the city clean and welcoming with the launch of the Clean Corridor Program. The four-person crew, dubbed the Clean Team, officially rolled out in March 2025. This new work group was created as part of a broader Clean Arlington initiative to maintain cleanliness, promote civic pride, and enhance the overall aesthetics of public spaces across the city.

The Clean Team’s purpose is to patrol high-traffic corridors and respond quickly to cleanliness-related concerns in public areas. These include addressing litter, illegal dumping, deteriorated infrastructure, and other visible blight along Arlington’s major and minor roadways.

Since beginning their field work in early March, the team has:

• Collected over 5.7 tons of litter
• Removed more than 2.4 tons of illegally dumped materials
• Cleared away 75 illegal signs
• Removed 32 abandoned shopping carts

In addition to routine cleanup, the Clean Team supports other city departments, including Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Code Compliance, by assisting with maintenance and event preparation. Having the Clean Team serve as additional boots on the ground to scout issues allows the City to quickly respond to citizen complaints, particularly in high-visibility locations or before and after city-hosted events like parades and festivals.

The initial focus is on immediate cleanup needs. The end goal is to develop a long-term maintenance strategy to achieve cleaner and more attractive City corridors. The Clean Team reports damaged infrastructure and recurring problem areas to internal City work order systems, allowing other resources to be allocated to address those issues. Locations such as Ryan Plaza, Sublett Road, and Green Oaks Boulevard have already shown noticeable improvement.

Beyond aesthetics, the Clean Corridor Program also enhances public health and safety by reducing environmental hazards. Debris and trash in public areas pose risks ranging from blocked pathways to exposure to hazardous materials. By systematically addressing these issues, the Clean Team plays a vital role in creating a safer and more enjoyable city for all residents and visitors.