Litter Prevention
Nebraska DEE Litter Grant Funds Available For Litter Pick-ups
Clean Community System received a Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy that awards funds for community groups who host a roadside litter pick-up or a public space litter pick-up in 2021. Community groups, schools and businesses are eligible to participate in this grant; the rates are $50/mile if both sides of the road are cleaned or $10/acre (minimum of 5 acres) for public spaces including parks and school grounds.
If you are interested in more information about hosting a Roadside Litter Pick-Up or Public Space Litter Pick-up, please see the below information or contact us.
2021 Litter Pick-Up Information Sheet
Litter Pick-Up Completion Form
If your community group, school or business is interested in adopting a section of roadway or park please visit our Adopt-A-Road page.
2020 City Wide Clean-Up
During August 2020, over 3,494 volunteer hours helped pick up litter along 157 miles of public roadways and 258.5 acres of public spaces. These volunteers collected over 42,395 pounds of litter. This allowed Grand Island to shine before the over 280,000 visitors came to our city for the Nebraska State Fair.
We plan on continuing this event into 2021, for more details visit the 2021 City Wide Clean-Up page.
Knowing More About Litter Is The First Step To A More Beautiful Community
When was the last time you saw someone littering? It may be hard to remember. But litter doesn’t just appear — it’s a result of careless attitudes and improper waste handling. Is there anything you can do? Yes, and knowing more about litter and where it comes from is a good start!
Click here for litter fact from Keep America Beautiful.
Click here for information about the most littered item in America – cigarette butts.
Why People Litter
Research by Keep America Beautiful indicates that people litter because: they feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as parks, beaches and roads are public properties they believe someone else — a park maintenance worker or highway worker — will pick up after them they assume that because litter has already accumulated, their littering is not a problem.
Litter-Known Facts
Motorists and pedestrians are often blamed for litter. There are actually other contributors.
- Households due to improper handling of trash and it’s placement on the curb for collection
- Dumpsters used by businesses
- Loading docks
- Construction and demolition sites
- Trucks with unsecured loads
You may be surprised to learn that pedestrians and motorists account for less than half of all litter – the other five sources account for between 50-80% of all litter.
Litter And Your Taxes
Litter is not only ugly — it is costly! The NE Department of Transportation spends thousands of dollars and many hours annually picking up litter — money and time needed for more important services. Local, state and federal governments also spend money removing litter left by careless park visitors. Clean communities also have a better chance of attracting new businesses than litter-filled communities.
What Can I Do?
Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
- Carry a litter bag in your car.
- Make sure trash cans have lids that can be securely fastened.
- If you have curbside trash collection, don’t put loose trash in boxes.
- Tie papers in a bundle before placing them in a curbside recycling bin.
- If you own a business, check dumpsters daily to see that top and side doors are closed.
- If you or a member of your family is involved in a civic group, scouting, or recreational sports program, encourage the group to “adopt” a spot in your town and maintain it on a regular basis.
- Make litter bags for your bicycle, and give them to your friends, too.
- Report areas where people have illegally dumped garbage and debris to your local highway, public works, or conservation office, and ask that the material be removed.
- Volunteer to help organize a cleanup.
Can I Do More?
- Ask organizers of a festival, fair, or other outdoor event in your community to make it a “litter-free” event. This can be done by giving out litter bags at entrances and making sure everyone who attends knows that it is a “litter free” day.
- Cover open loads on trucks.
- If you are a contractor, ask your chapter of the National Association of Home Builders about the “Build America Beautiful” program.
- Encourage a school to start a “clean campus” program. This can include placement of trash and recycling receptacles, litter pick-ups, and projects in which students track litter origins.