By Kristin Fox
Spring has sprung and Jackson County will be kicking off its spring cleaning with two clean-up events scheduled in April.
Jackson County is calling on all residents to help keep the mountains of Jackson County clean with its annual Spring Litter Sweep to be held during the weeks of April 16-29, 2023. The Jackson County Keep Our Mountains Clean and Green Litter Task Force holds the annual spring litter pick up event as a part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)Clean Sweep.
Through the NC DOT Clean Sweep program, residents volunteer throughout the state and participate in local efforts to help clean up North Carolina’s roadways and scenic byways. Last year, 11 million pounds of trash were picked up by the NCDOT, contractors and volunteers.
Traditionally scheduled for the last two weeks of April and September, Clean Sweep is the N.C. Department of Transportation’s biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative. During the spring and fall, Jackson County participates in the state cleanup with their local Cleaning up the Mountains events.
Each April and September, DOT asks volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches, municipalities, law enforcement and community groups play a role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean.
The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is a partner with Jackson County Public Works campaign to keep the scenic area of Jackson County clean and free of litter during the state Clean Sweep. As a result of these efforts, an estimated 4,000 pounds of trash is collected every year by the caring community of Jackson County.
To register a group for the litter pick up event, call Kim Shuler at (828) 586-7509. Information needed for registration includes group leader name, contact information, the number of people in the group and the name of the road where trash will be picked up.
Individuals and groups are asked to choose only secondary roads for litter pick up; the main highways of 19-23, Highway 107 and 441 are not to be chosen due to high traffic volumes.
The Jackson County Solid Waste Department will provide the supplies of safety vests, gloves, trash tongs and trash bags and are available at the Jackson County Transfer Station at 1172 Mineral Springs Road in Sylva.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in the cleanup, a wonderful opportunity to show community pride, civic responsibility and appreciation of the beauty of the mountains of Jackson County.
Jackson County will also be sponsoring its annual Household Hazard Waste Collection Event, a service offered annually to Jackson County residents.
The Jackson County Solid Waste Department will be holding the annual residential household hazardous waste collection event on April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mark Watson Park in Sylva.
This year paints, aerosols, flammable liquids, bleaches and corrosive clears will be collected during the event.
This annual event is offered as a service for residents of Jackson County. If you have any questions or need more information about the event, contact Kim Shuler at (828) 586-7509.
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