For the second consecutive year, the Burke River Trail Association (BRTA) is proud to participate in the Burke County Chamber of Commerce Litter Sweep being held April 2-9. Over the course of the eight-day event, volunteers will cover all nine trail towns along the Burke River Trail route, working to clean up our community and protect the environment.
This year, a strong network of partnerships will drive the success of the Litter Sweep efforts. From local businesses and nonprofits to municipalities, everyone is united in their goal to create cleaner streets, waterways, and public spaces. BRTA will also serve as a sponsor of the Chamber Event which will include hosting an information table at the April 15 Celebration.
To help offset the costs of picking up trash and to keep volunteers safe, BRTA Board Member Melinda Wallrichs secured a Thrivent Action Team Grant to provide essential supplies. The items include waters, snacks, gloves, grabbers, and vests for participants in the Nine Trail Town Trash Pickups. The $250 grants available from Thrivent empower organizations to make a meaningful impact on their communities.
In January, after a 2024 year that included 18 trash pickup events with 129 bags of trash, five dedicated ladies who attend most of the trail town trash pickups decided they wanted a special title: Litter Gitters. The name is a perfect reflection of their mission to do their part in keeping their communities safe and clean, while also encouraging others to do the same.
Passionate about roadside cleanups, Val Scott, BRTA President, stated, “The road looks much better after we clean it up, but within one day, more trash is there. It’s frustrating, but cleaning up the trash is an act of love for the community.” She went on to say, “I can’t help but stop to pickup trash when I see a messy area on the side of the road. Fortunately for my home trash can, only three bags of trash fit in my car!”
Christa Pearson added, “I feel as though it takes a village to keep our roads clear of trash…love how beautiful the roadside looks after we have completed a project!”
An added bonus of cleanups are seeing who found the most unique item. Recently on Malcolm Blvd, there were hundreds of hairnets. Other times, it seems like thousands of liquor bottles. And, of course animal carcasses and always an old tire, or two..
“I believe everyone needs to take pride in their community and be mindful of where they place their trash,” reflected Marti Sundell during the Litter Gitter group discussion.
Litter Gitter Pam Deloach’s Toyota T100 pickup truck and her willingness to always go to the Burke County dump is a huge help on Trail Town Trash Pickup days. The truck gets piled full, and then tarped to make sure no trash blows out. Based on a study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, unsecured loads are the cause of 40% of the trash along the roads.
Beth Heile, Executive Director of Burke River Trail Association explained why the nonprofit charged with connecting the Burke towns with pedestrian trail by saying, “BRTA hosts monthly roadside cleanups because we believe it’s our responsibility to not only encourage outdoor recreation but also to promote environmental stewardship, ensuring that as people enjoy the outdoors, they also take part in keeping it clean and safe for everyone.”
While the annual chamber litter sweep is a great way to get the community involved for one week during the year, the Litter Gitters hope folks will become regular participants in keeping their towns clean, whether it is with BRTA, another organization, or just on their own.
The BRTA Litter Gitters pick up trash at least once a month on Sunday afternoons. Check the BRTA facebook page or calendar at https://rivertrail.betterburke.com/calendar/
Schedule of dates, times and locations for Litter Sweep 2025:
Why is Litter Bad?
All these factors contribute to why BRTA hosts monthly cleanups.
- Environmental Impact: Litter can contaminate soil and groundwater, with plastics decomposing into microplastics that pollute waterways and harm marine life. This pollution can even end up in our food chain.
- Wildlife Safety: Trash poses serious dangers to wildlife. Animals may mistake litter for food, leading to choking hazards or starvation. Broken glass and plastic can cause injury or death, while aquatic life and waterfowl risk entanglement.
- Community Appearance: Litter diminishes the visual appeal of our neighborhoods, encouraging more dumping. Clean roadsides create a positive first impression and enhance the beauty of our surroundings.
- Road Safety: Debris on roadways is a safety hazard, potentially causing accidents or clogging storm drains, leading to flooding. Litter also poses risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
- Economic Considerations: Areas plagued by litter can deter investment, harm real estate values, and discourage new businesses. Additionally, taxpayers bear the cost of cleaning up other people’s waste.
If you need to copy and paste the Litter Sweep schedule:
Wed April 2 – 10am Drexel Downtown Park
Thur April 3 – 2:00pm – Valdese Lovelady Rd
Fri Apr 4 – 10:00am – Rutherford College Crosslink Church
Sat Apr 5 – 2:30pm – Glen Alpine –Town Hall
Sun April 6 – 2:00pm Rhodhiss – Horseshoe Dam Park
Mon Apr 7– 1:00pm – Connelly Springs, Lindy’s Furniture
Tues Apr 8 – 9:00 Hildebran – Library
Tues Apr 8 – 10:30 Long View – IGA Grocery
Wed Apr 9 – 1:00 pm – Morganton – Catawba Meadows
