06/11/2026
I was fortunate enough to hear from a Benton Heights Elementary school teacher, Ms. Matthews, and a few of her students at this week's Monroe city council meeting. They are currently learning about persuasive writing and these students chose to write about the importance of caring for the community around them by picking up litter. They even wrote about the impacts of litter getting into our waterways--they did their research!!
I went out to clean up my community recently and wanted to re-share some of the treasures we found! Did you know you can purchase a tool for picking up trash from Harbor Freight for about $6? (Union County will also provide litter grabbers to use for free if you organize a group event!) We also wore gloves for the trickier pieces of trash that were stuck in the mud from recent rain. This was a super fun outing and I'd love to have more folks join us the next time we go out. Stay tuned for information on that!!
In the meantime, the city shared some more ways you can get involved in cleaning up our community:
- Adopt-a-Street: Participants agree to pick up litter from their adopted street at least four times per year and the City of Monroe will provide bags, vests, and trash pick-up. The City will also provide signs on your street in recognition of your efforts! Call 704-282-4565 to learn more and sign up for the program. https://www.monroenc.org/654/Adopt-a-Street
- Organize your own litter clean-up event: Union County will provide the safety vests, litter grabbers, gloves, trash bags, and trash pick-up for you--all you have to do is bring some friends to join the party!
https://www.unioncountync.gov/government/departments-r-z/waste-and-recycling/organize-a-litter-collection-event
- Take part in larger events: Just recently, NCDOT hosted a spring litter sweep from April 11-25. Events like these are fun because it can help get more people involved and be an opportunity to learn more about how trash that isn't disposed of correctly hurts our neighborhoods and the environment.
