Litter eradication through cleanups and control devices is a critical component in keeping your community litter free. Research done by Keep America Beautiful shows that people are more likely to litter in areas that are already littered. Therefore, keeping your community clean through pick up activities is an important deterrent to future littering.

The most visible form of litter eradication may be cleanups which can use government workers, community service workers or volunteers to physically pick up trash. In addition to conducting organized cleanups, communities may also use litter control devices to limit litter accumulation. Litter control devices include street sweepers and vacuums, pickup tools, trash and recycling receptacles, litter bags, and other items for physically removing and holding litter. Given that snack, take-out packaging and beverage-related items account for 30% of all litter counted along Georgia roadsides, reusable items such as personal water bottles, coffee mugs, shopping bags, etc. can also reduce littering by eliminating disposal items. Litter control also includes devices such as storm water catch basins that capture litter before it reaches waterways. Source control through public education/involvement and reporting of illegal dumping and littering also contributes to litter reduction.
 
There are several annual statewide cleanup efforts that your community can join:

• Adopt-A-Highway is the Department of Transportation's program to help groups take responsibility for cleaning state roads in their local area. For more information:
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• The Great American Cleanup is the nation's largest community improvement campaign. Coordinated by Keep Georgia Beautiful, the Cleanup is held each April in conjunction with Keep Georgia Beautiful month. Free supplies are available for participating organizations. Visit: http://www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org
• Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that each October targets all waterways in the State including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands. Visit: http://www.riversalive.org/ for more information.
• Help keep Georgia's streams clean and healthy by volunteering for the Adopt-A-Stream program. Visit: http://www.riversalive.com/aas.htm.

To find out about ongoing local cleanup initiatives, see the Litter. It Costs You Resource Directory.
 
Get more information on
Organizing a volunteer community cleanup