Big Sweep Launches New Cleanup Initiatives

Carteret Big Sweep is adding to its year-round cleanup efforts Fill My Bucket List Campaign,  monthly roadside cleanups and the Solo Summer Cleanup.

The Fill My Bucket List Campaign is to help volunteers get cleanup supplies. For $30, volunteers will get their own grabber, gloves and a bucket with a list of possible litter finds to locate while completing their own cleanups or participating in other Carteret Big Sweep events. Proceeds from cleanup kits will purchase additional supplies for group events.

Dee Smith, coordinator for Carteret Big Sweep said she hopes the campaign impowers volunteers to take action to reduce litter in Carteret County.

To order cleanup kits, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/146754698253/preview_publish. Orders will be taken through April 12. Bucket pickup is planned for April 23.

Big Sweep is also coordinating monthly cleanups that will be held at 9 a.m. every third Saturday on major roadways where there has been an increase in debris.

Volunteers can meet at 9 a.m. April 17 in the parking lot at Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center for the next cleanup, which will be on Harkers Island Road. All supplies will be provided for volunteers. Locations are subject to change based on need, but will be within the same general area. For the schedule of events and to sign up for the public cleanups visit,  http://carteretcountync.gov/704/Big-Sweep.

The Summer Solo Cleanup program is for students who need to earn community service hours. Students are asked to commit to a minimum of 25 hours to clean up litter from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at beach accesses. Students will be assigned busy sections of beach to clean. All equipment for a safe and effective cleanup will be provided.

Carteret Big Sweep works year-round with volunteer groups from businesses, civic organizations, neighborhoods, youth, families and other groups or individuals. The organization works  remove litter before it can cause harm to humans, wildlife and the environment. Carteret Big Sweep provides educational opportunities on waste reduction, recycling, and other alternatives to the landfill such as composting and vermicomposting.

For more information on these projects or dates and locations for upcoming events, contact Smith at dee_edwards-smith@ncsu.edu or visit Facebook at @carteretbigsweep.