(Family Features) From a day spent in the office to evenings out and everywhere in between, there’s one thing virtually everyone leaves behind now and again: a mess. Whether it’s scratch paper from a morning meeting or food scraps and used napkins at your favorite restaurant, you’re likely to leave some trash in your wake on any given day.

While waste is a normal part of everyday life, there are ways you can do your part to keep your community clean beyond simply picking up after yourself, including keeping in mind the hardworking custodians who make big things possible by working tirelessly to maintain clean and safe spaces every day.

To show appreciation for those custodians, Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) is hosting celebrations across the U.S. for the third year in a row to engage with and personally thank those who keep the world working by going above and beyond keeping public spaces spotless.

These events aim to elevate, recognize and thank those who go above and beyond for cleanliness and safety. Consider these ways you can add to the cause and do your part for clean offices, schools, neighborhoods and beyond.

Pick Up After Yourself

Striving for a cleaner community doesn’t happen overnight; it begins with small steps and habits you can incorporate every day. One of the easiest ways you can lend a hand to maintenance professionals is by simply cleaning up after yourself, from recycling used paper at the office to properly disposing of that popcorn bucket after catching a movie.

Encourage Cleanliness at Work
An unkempt work environment can be a detriment to both productivity and safety. Voice any concerns you may have about your workspace and recommend tools that can help encourage cleanliness. Consider the variety of innovative products RCP offers, including Utility and Decorative Trash Cans, Mops, Broom Carts, Safety Signs, Heavy-Duty Trucks and more that can help get the job done.

Keep Cleanup Supplies on Hand
Go beyond your own messes and fight back against litter in public spaces by keeping cleanup supplies in a backpack while hiking, stowed away while biking or in your trunk while driving through town. A few small trash bags and disposable gloves or a trash picker are all you need to help put a stop to littered parks and neighborhoods.

Organize Community Cleaning Events

If you’re ready to go above and beyond, consider organizing a community cleanup. Set a date and time, gather supplies like trash bags and gloves then spread the news to family, friends and neighbors, and share why it’s important to keep spaces clean and safe. Start with a local park or your own neighborhood to avoid overwhelming your volunteers, but as your cleanup crew grows, you can tackle larger areas.

Find more solutions to strive for cleaner communities at rubbermaidcommercial.com/behind-the-scenes-of-clean.