The Clean Bushwick Initiative has cleaned up the neighborhood for years.

Director Nicole De Santis has been with the group from the start when it was just two people who met through a Meet Up invite. Now the group not only cleans up the neighborhood, but keeps rain beds in good shape, conducts educational workshops, and more.

The group’s origins are reducing waste, a problem they believe causes and contributes to many issues.

"There are so many intersected issues, it's like gentrification, racial inequity, there are so many things that intersect with litter when you're talking about litter and the cleanliness of the neighborhood. I always tell people you're not powerless especially if you have the time and energy to put in your community," said De Santis.

The group is always accepting volunteers.

The next clean-up is June 15 at Maria Hernandez Park.