PITT COUNTY, N.C. – Pitt County Solid Waste & Recycling announced at the Pitt County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, April 3, 2023 the launch of a Fourth Grade Litter Challenge in partnership with Pitt County Schools (PCS). The Litter Challenge is part two of the Litter Free for You and Me campaign to help Pitt County and the environment become litter free.
“I am excited about the impact of this phase of the Litter Free for You and Me initiative. Chairwoman Perkins-William has been passionate about addressing litter for many years, and doing so effectively requires reaching out to different age groups in various settings. Pitt County has had previous success working with fourth graders in a Pet Responsibility Program offered by Pitt County Animal Services. Students learn the information, take it home and share it with their families. Together, we will encourage a cross generational culture of environmental awareness that leads to pride in a litter free community,” says Janis Gallagher, County Manager.
The program was created to bring attention to the County’s litter issues and challenges fourth graders to pick up litter around their neighborhoods and favorite parks. The Litter Challenge runs Saturday, April 1 through Earth Day, April 22, 2023.
PCS fourth grade students received green litter pick up bags with bilingual tracking logs and posters from their teachers. Each time a student picks up litter, they will record the number of bags filled for each day. Students must turn in their trackers to their teachers with the total number of bags collected with a parent/guardian signature by Monday, April 24.
“We are pleased to partner with Pitt County Schools in our Litter campaign. Instead of going to the fourth grade classrooms talking about litter, what better way to get the children excited by going out and picking up litter? We challenge each fourth grader to pick up litter in their neighborhoods, ball parks, recreational parks, or any areas they choose,” says John Demary, Solid Waste and Recycling Director. Demary adds, “Our goal is to clean up Pitt County and teach the children that ALL of us have to pitch in to help keep Pitt County Litter Free for You and Me!”
Participating schools are divided into six conferences based on location. The top class from each conference to collect the most litter will win a pizza party, sponsored by Pitt County Economic Development, with Pitt County and PCS officials.
The winning classes will be recognized at the Pitt County Board of Commissioners and Pitt County Board of Education meetings on Monday, May 1. Students are encouraged to continue using the reusable litter pick up bags after the Litter Challenge ends.
Part three of the campaign, Tarp It or Ticket, will begin May 1 to educate the public on the enforcement of fines and penalties for littering, unsecured loads and illegal trash dumping.
For more information, please visit www.PittCountyNC.gov/LitterChallenge