Cedar Hill expands Clean City program, reports 2,425 bags of litter collected in recent months

Cedar Hill’s parks department reported a stepped-up effort on litter abatement and community beautification, saying crews and volunteers have removed large volumes of trash across the city.

“Within the last 250 working days, your team has collected 2,425 bags of trash,” Parks Director Sean Ray told the council, adding that crews also retrieved more than 1,600 bulk items and nearly 150,000 pounds of litter over the last 12 months. Ray said the city increased contracted litter removal along Highway 67 by 40 percent, moving from a 15-day cycle to a 10-day cycle to improve corridor appearance and public safety.

Ray said council-directed funding added two full-time litter crew positions and a vehicle to allow staff to patrol routes, respond quickly after storms and pick up new problem areas. City leaders framed the expansion as part of a broader Clean City initiative tied to the council’s strategic plan and the Beautification and Environmental Sustainability Board’s volunteer programs.

Lauren Faust, the board liaison, highlighted volunteer contributions: large spring cleanups in April 2025 (about 412 volunteers, ~6,000 pounds) and November 2025 (about 300 volunteers, ~4,500 pounds), with a rain-affected April 2026 event that nonetheless registered 275 volunteers. Faust also previewed a traffic signal-box art project and a pilot “clean campus” program with Plummer Elementary.

Council members praised the effort while also urging a focus on long-term behavior change. “I want to get to the place where it ain’t cool to litter in Cedar Hill,” Councilmember Sims said, urging education and neighborhood accountability alongside cleanup work. Parks staff said they will continue to report program metrics to the council.