SouthernCarolina Alliance Receives PalmettoPride Grant for Establishing Litter Prevention Program

September 29, 2021

Columbia, SC – PalmettoPride presented the SouthernCarolina Alliance with a Litter Task Force Grant in Hampton today to establish a Litter Prevention Program servicing Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell Counties. The grant will total $120,000, to be awarded over a two-year cycle, and will cover part of the salary and customized program needs associated with changing the behavior of littering throughout each county.

“Litter prevention is about behavior change, not just the litterer but how governments, businesses and law enforcement deal with litter,” said Sarah Lyles, Executive Director for PalmettoPride. “Having a litter prevention coordinator working daily in the community on awareness, enforcement and pickup will bring much needed support to on-going efforts in these counties.”

“SouthernCarolina Alliance appreciates the opportunity that this Palmetto Pride grant will create in our rural communities,” said SouthernCarolina Alliance Vice President Kay Maxwell.  “Litter prevention is key to the marketability of our communities to prospective industries, small businesses and families.  It’s an important indicator of community pride, engagement and care.”

Litter prevention is challenging in counties with large populations and economies. Rural counties have a more difficult time securing the resources to fund litter prevention programs, and often have a great need for assistance due to the higher volunteer of unincorporated roads, open landscapes, and smaller populations.

PalmettoPride established the Litter Task Force Grant to address litter control enforcement. PalmettoPride will track litter reduction through baseline focus area studies in each county.

“Creating a regional position is a great solution in our rural communities where population and finances can’t sustain full time positions.” said Lyles. “Our hope is that after two years, the impact will spur the governments to find a permanent funding source.” 

“SouthernCarolina Alliance is delighted to partner with Palmetto Pride and to lead this regional pilot program, which will not only enhance our communities, but encourage economic and community development,” added Maxwell.

For more information on PalmettoPride contact info@palmettopride.org.

Contact: Nicole Meares

Communications & Marketing Manager

803-758-6034

nmeares@palmettopride.org

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PalmettoPride is working towards a litter-free South Carolina. Created as a legislative initiative to fight litter and help beautify South Carolina by engaging citizens to take action in their communities through education, enforcement, awareness and pickup.