During the month of April, NLS is campaigning in Alamance County to increase participation in NCDOT’s Spring Litter Sweep, a biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative, ongoing from April 13-27, 2024. During the sweep, volunteers are invited to devote time to safely picking up litter along roadways with support from NCDOT’s local program coordinators.
NLS invited the governments of Mebane, Haw River, Graham, Burlington and Elon, as well as the Alamance County Commissioners, to proclaim April 13-27, 2024, as Litter Sweep in their respective municipalities. Mebane City Council adopted the proclamation on Monday, April 8, followed by the Alamance County Commissioners on Monday, April 15, and Burlington City Council on Tuesday, April 16.
Additional proclamations have been issued by NLS’s partners in the local business community, including the Alamance Chamber and Glen Raven, Inc. NLS staff will team up with Glen Raven to participate in the company’s employee Litter Sweep scheduled for Tuesday, April 23.
In 2023, NCDOT spent $25.3 million statewide to collect 11.5 million pounds of litter. During Litter Sweep, NCDOT asks for volunteer assistance and provides supplies, such as safety vests and big orange trash bags. NCDOT maintenance crews participate in the cleanup, as well, and will pick up bags that volunteers have filled and left along the right-of-way. Detailed information can be found by contacting Alamance County’s local coordinator, Ann Bratton, at eabratton@ncdot.gov.
Formed in 2007 as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, NLS improves the curb appeal of Alamance County by forming public-private partnerships with local municipalities to enhance landscaping in public spaces, such as roadways, highway exits, parks, and downtown business districts. In addition to landscaping projects, NLS participates in environmental celebrations, sustainability initiatives, planting days, and litter pickup campaigns. Additional information about NLS can be found at www.newleafsociety.org.
Katie Snider / info@newleafsociety.org