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By Kimberly Carroll Steward
As winter fades and spring approaches, March is the perfect time to get outside and make a difference in your community! Melting snow and spring winds often uncover litter that has accumulated over the colder months, making early spring an ideal time to tackle litter before mowing starts and breaks it up into smaller, harder to clean-up pieces. Early spring often brings the perfect conditions for a productive clean-up with cooler temperatures, fewer insects, and less vegetation in the way.
What is Litter?
Litter refers to waste that is improperly disposed of in public places instead of being placed in trash bins or recycling containers. It can include items like plastic bottles, food wrappers, cigarette butts, paper, and a host of other discarded materials. Littering harms the environment by polluting natural spaces, harming wildlife, and contributing to water, air, and land pollution. Most often, litter is the result of human negligence, but lacking proper waste disposal infrastructure can increase the chance of waste becoming litter.
Why Litter Clean-Ups Matter
Cleaning up litter in your community, not only improving the appearance of public spaces but also protecting the environment for future generations. Litter isn’t just an eyesore—it pollutes, can harm wildlife and pets, and prove a public safety risk. Many commonly littered items can take years to break down or never fully “go away.”
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you want to take on a solo mission or rally a group, every effort makes a difference! Here are some ways to participate:
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Join a Local Clean-Up Event – Many organizations host clean-up events throughout March and April. Many Keep Nebraska Beautiful Affiliates host clean-up events. Check out the link and see if an affiliate is in your community.
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Organize Your Own Clean-Up – Gather a group of friends, family, or coworkers and pick a local park, trail, or neighborhood that needs attention.
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