Litter Free Upland started in a very simple and genuine way.

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Josh was out picking up trash around Upland when he met Stacy, who was also independently cleaning up litter in the community. The two formed a friendship around meeting up for small cleanups and doing what they could to improve the city one area at a time.

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At first, it was just a few people, some trash bags, and a shared belief that if you care about your community, you should be willing to help take care of it.

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As more people noticed the work being done, others started joining in. What began as casual cleanups between friends slowly grew into a community movement. A Facebook group was created so volunteers could coordinate cleanups, share progress photos, and encourage others to get involved. Over time, that evolved into a larger organization, a website, recurring citywide cleanups, and eventually the formation of Upland Acts of Service, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Today, Litter Free Upland organizes recurring volunteer cleanups throughout the city and works alongside residents, businesses, schools, youth groups, and community partners to help beautify Upland through acts of civic pride and service.

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Volunteers have now removed thousands of pounds of litter from streets, trails, parks, and public spaces throughout the community. But the mission has always been about more than trash removal.

It is about leading by example.

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It is about showing that positive change starts when ordinary people decide to step up and take ownership of the place they live. It is about building a stronger sense of community, creating opportunities for service, and inspiring others to care for Upland the same way we do.

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We are proud of how far this movement has come, but we believe we are only getting started.

Join us. There is work to be done.