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“Columbus Proud” Litter Awareness Month is jointly sponsored by the Discover Columbus Committee and the Town of Columbus. “Columbus Proud” is designed to raise awareness about litter while at the same time helping people in the community get their neighborhoods and public areas squared away after a long winter. This month-long event will begin on Saturday April 2nd.

 

Keep America Beautiful is celebrating the Great American Cleanup’s 24th year in 2022, between March 21st to June 22. Celebrating its 24th year, the most recent Great American Cleanup created 15,000 opportunities for millions of volunteers to have remarkable results – picking up millions of pounds of litter, cleaning over 100,000 acres of public spaces, and tens of thousands of miles of roadways and shorelines.

 

Conserving Carolina, a non-profit conservation organization working to preserve water and land resources in Western North Carolina is also participating in the NC Litter Sweep program in the Town of Columbus during the month of April. “Littering can happen intentionally or unintentionally” advises Pam Torlina, Conserving Carolina’s Southeast Stewardship Manager. “Other than just being unsightly, it can cause serious consequences for the environment. As litter degrades, chemicals that aren’t natural to the environment can cause a number of problems as they make their way into the soil and our freshwater sources, impacting both humans and animals.”

 

Conserving Carolina has scheduled a litter pickup on April 2, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., and along Shuford Road in Columbus.

 

“Litter looks bad,” said Town Manager, Tim Barth. “If you’re jogging, riding a bike, or walking, and you see litter, it just gives you a bad feeling. It’s just bad, not only for our community, but for our environment, as well.”

 

“Every weekend in April, there are clean ups going on throughout our Town.” We want to take pride in our Town. We want residents to be aware, as well as involved,” said Robert Williamson, Discover Columbus Team Member. “Let’s commit to making Columbus a clean, healthy and welcoming community.”

 

GFL Environmental Inc. located in Columbus is participating too. Their bright green containers are also being staged to collect and dispose of the bagged litter bagged as part of the Town’s Litter Awareness Month.

 

Who can be involved? The Town of Columbus offers opportunities for families, church groups, clubs, schools, youth and adult organizations, businesses, and community individuals to collect litter and other debris along their neighborhood streets during the month of April. Having an active role in the environment shows pride and responsibility for our community as well as provides awareness for future generations.

 

What about supplies? Interested volunteer groups and participants are asked to collect litter and other debris along their neighborhood streets during the month of April. Orange trash bags, safety vests, and gloves will be available to Columbus residents who wish to participate. These supplies will be available at the Town Hall in Columbus. Contact Daisy at Columbus Town Hall at 828-894-8236 ext. 1002.

 

Want more information? See the latest information on our Discover Columbus NC Facebook page. For any questions, please email Ernie Kan (erniekan@yahoo.com).

 

“Your efforts of proper disposal methods and debris collection will help keep our community beautiful.” Jimmi Buell, Discover Columbus Team. “Please help us keep Columbus clean. Be Columbus Proud.”

 

Submitted by Robert Williamson, Columbus, NC