FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I volunteer for KAB events?
Click here to register as a KAB volunteer and get involved in any of our programs. You may also call 467-4960.
What does "register as a KAB Volunteer" mean?
Registering simply means you have provided KAB with your contact information and indicated the program or programs you may be interested in. Registering also allows you to receive information about upcoming KAB events.
What is Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and what are its goals?
KAB is a volunteer based litter eradication program. KAB aims to make Edgecombe and Nash Counties litter-free by organizing volunteers in litter education and pickup programs.
What are the major sources of litter?
-
Improperly containerized household refuse
-
Improperly containerized commercial refuse
-
Loading/unloading areas
-
Uncovered trucks
-
Construction/demolition sites
-
Motorists
-
Pedestrians
Why do people litter?
Keep America Beautiful Inc. conducted a study specifically to answer this question. The most common reason for littering is a lack of feeling of ownership of the littered community. When people don't feel like they are a part of their community littering becomes a problem.
Why pick up litter? How does it affect me?
Keeping our communities litter free is important. Litter free communities have higher property values, less crime and a better quality of life. Furthermore, KAB research shows that litter encourages litter; people begin to think "why should I care; obviously no one else does."
What can I do to make a difference?
Volunteer with Keep America Beautiful! Set an example by not littering; pick up one piece of litter per day; make sure your trash cans have lids that can be securely attached; adopt a street, highway, or park. If you have curbside trash service, do not put out open containers or boxes filled with trash. Carry a litter bag in your car. If you drive a truck, do not use the truck bed as a trash receptacle (the trash will eventually blow out). If you smoke, properly dispose of the cigarette butt in an ashtray, not on the ground.
Can I report littering? What is Swat-a-Litterbug?
Yes littering is a crime and you can report it! Littering offenses and dumping should be reported immediately to law enforcement (Rocky Mount Police department 972-1411). Be sure to record license plate numbers, vehicle and offender descriptions, site information time and date. Remember timeliness is critical in litter reporting!
Less serious or difficult to report littering offenses should be reported to the SWAT-A-LITTERBUG program. Anyone observing a littering or illegal dumping violation can write down the license plate number, the color and type of vehicle, the location where the violation occurred, the date, and the time. Call 1-800-DOT-4YOU (1-877-368-4968). This is a direct number North Carolina Department of Transportation who will contact the vehicle owner via mail. To obtain Swat-A-Litterbug cards, call 1-800-331-5864. If you need a card immediately, call 467-4960 to obtain one from the KAB office.
What's the difference between "Clean Sweep" and "Big Sweep"?
Clean Sweep is an annual clean up. It has been our way of participating in Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup. In previous Clean Sweep events nearly half of City of Rocky Mount employees have participated as well as several civic groups. The North Carolina Big Sweep is the state wide annual waterway cleanup that takes place the first weekend in October.
What happened to the C.L.E.A.N. Team?
In April 1998, we officially changed our name from The C.L.E.A.N. (Clean up Litter in Edgecombe And Nash) Team to Keep America Beautiful of Nash and Edgecombe Counties. This was done to more easily identify our local program with the national organization (KAB, Inc.), increase the overall visibility of KAB, and foster cohesive identity among the KAB affiliates located throughout the U.S.
Do you offer presentations to schools, churches, civic groups, etc.?
Yes. We are happy to speak to any group on topics ranging from litter prevention and abatement, to source reduction, recycling, and beautification.