Programs:  

Big Sweep: On the last Saturday in September, clean ups are organized at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Greenfield Lake. Big Sweep began as a beach sweep in 1987 and is now an annual statewide event. Since its inception, more than 192,000 volunteers have retrieved over six million pounds of debris from North Carolina’s waterways. The event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup that involves approximately 90 countries and 55 states and territories.

In 2006 in New Hanover County, 610 volunteers picked up an estimated 10,940 pounds of trash. This annual clean up of our waterways removes litter which is not only unattractive, but can threaten drinking water, provide habitat for rodents or mosquitoes, and can be deadly to wildlife that eats or becomes entangled in debris.

Great American Cleanup Each spring, cleanup supplies are distributed to New Hanover County schools who want to organize a cleanup on their school grounds. The Great American Cleanup is a national event coordinated by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. In 2006, the Great American Cleanup is expected to involve close to an estimated 2.5 million people volunteering more than 8 million hours to clean, beautify and improve 16,000 communities during 30,000 events from coast to coast in all 50 states. See Upcoming Events for more information.

Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Cigarettes are the #1 littered item world wide. KAB of NHC is working with the City of Wilmington, Wilmington Downtown, Inc., and Residents of Old Wilmington to launch a pilot program in downtown Wilmington. Twelve ash receptacles will be installed and each business in the pilot area will be asked to participate in the outreach campaign by using coasters or posters that convey the message that cigarettes are litter too. KAB of NHC is also conducting research to quantify the number of cigarettes littered before and after the program is launched. If successful, the program may be expanded to all of downtown. In addition, KAB of NHC hopes to replicate and expand this program in other areas of the county.

Roadside Litter Pickup Program Each week, court-ordered community service workers pick up litter on the county’s roadsides. Keep America Beautiful of New Hanover County has a supervisor who transports the workers to identified roadways that need a cleanup. In 2006, 557 bags of trash were removed from our roadways through this program.

Neighborhood complaints Does your neighbor keep piles of unsightly trash or junk in the yard? Or is the vegetation thick and overgrown enough to harbor vermin? Keep America Beautiful of New Hanover County responds to neighborhood complaints in the unincorporated county. Reports can be made anonymously. If there is a violation of the county’s ordinances, a letter will be sent to the property owner.