2025 At-A-GlancE

Thank you for supporting Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB). We appreciate your civic pride and love for Akron. KAB remains the only organization in Akron dedicated to picking up litter, removing graffiti, and planting flowers on public land. As a small nonprofit with a small budget, we rely on community-minded donors to help keep our city neat, clean, and beautiful. Without strong support, graffiti would go unaddressed, flowers would not be planted, and litter would quickly take over our neighborhoods.

Your investment in Keep Akron Beautiful helps us fulfill our mission of improving Akron’s quality of life through beautification and responsible environmental management. Together, we are showcasing the best of Akron and creatin a lasting, positive impact on our community. In 2025, your support made the following possible:

Removing Akron’s Litter – In 2025, KAB continued its momentum in tackling litter citywide. As of November 1, our crews removed 60.6 tons of trash from Akron streets, expressway ramps, and public spaces. Our two full-time litter staff once again logged 4,160 hours, maintaining all 35 expressway ramps, where litter reappears quickly and requires constant attention.

KAB crews also addressed 35 graffiti sites, removed 85 tires, and cleared 21 illegal dump sites across Akron.

Volunteer support remained a driving force in 2025. Through Clean Up Akron Month, 836 volunteers contributed 2,580 hours, helping remove an additional 23.7 tons of litter. Major cleanups including Ward 2 and Ward 4—once again brought entire neighborhoods together in partnership with local leaders.

Beautiful Blooms – In 2025, KAB planted 20 Flowerscapes and 64 Adopt-A-Sites, continuing our commitment to vibrant and welcoming public spaces. Our Wildflower Garden near AAA Akron and Metro RTA, installed in 2024, flourished in its third year, and has become a favorite among residents.

KAB also expanded spring beautification efforts along key corridors and partnered with Cargill Salt to plant daffodil bulbs in Kenmore and with S&T Bank for daffodil plantings in North Akron.

Recycle Right Campaign – KAB partnered with the City of Akron for another successful year of the Recycle Right Campaign, running a 10-week curbside education program focused on reducing recycling contamination. Thanks to sustained education and hands-on cart tagging, contamination levels which were 39% in 2018—remain at an impressive 12.5%, among the lowest for a city our size in Ohio. This program continues to save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars and was a key contributor to Akron being named a 2025 All-America City by the National Civic League in June 2025.

Beautification Projects – In 2025, KAB recognized outstanding Akron properties by distributing 4,276 Beautification Watch Awards—a sincere thank-you to the residents, businesses, and property owners who help keep Akron beautiful.

Planting Change – Launched on Arbor Day 2024, the Planting Change: 100,000 Trees for Akron initiative continued growing in 2025. In partnership with Akron Public Schools, neighborhood groups, and community volunteers, we planted 5 trees at Akron Public School locations to celebrate Arbor Day in 2025. This work is essential to restoring Akron’s tree canopy, improving air quality, and supporting a healthier ecosystem for future generations.

Your support of Keep Akron Beautiful is an investment in the health, safety, and pride of Akron. Without KAB, thousands of volunteers and community service workers would lack a coordinated effort to keep our city clean. The 84.3 tons of trash removed by our team would still be in our streets, parks, and neighborhoods.
Regular cleanup and beautification are essential to preserving Akron’s quality of life. Cleaner neighborhoods experience less illegal dumping, fewer burglaries, and significant reductions in violence. Your generosity helps create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities across Akron.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us keep Akron beautiful.