PROGRAMS/EVENTS

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

LITTER REDUCTION

Adopt-A-Highway - Quarterly, Year Round

Adopt-A-Highway is a statewide program, established in 1988, designed to help keep North Carolina roadsides clean. One of the largest anti-litter programs in the nation, NC's AAH saves taxpayers more than $4 million annually with a volunteer force of 120,000 volunteers who clean 12,000 miles of state maintained roadsides.

Joining civic groups, churches, businesses and families in selecting a 2 mile section of roadway, KIC/KAB volunteers chose Highway 21 from Fourth Creek to The Church of the Springs in Troutman as their cleanup area.

For more information on Adopting A Highway, contact the office of KIC/KAB at 704-924-9800. There are also programs for Adopting a Stream and Adopting a Spot that can become a project for groups as well. The Adopt-A-Highway program supplies signs, safety vests, gloves and bag for volunteers.

North Carolina Big Sweep - First Saturday in October

The NC component of the International Coastal Cleanup is an event in which volunteers from all across North Carolina -- and approximately 90 countries -- come together to clean up rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Locally, KIC volunteers gather with canoes at Fourth Creek to clean trash, pollinates and contaminates out of the water. Tires, large car parts, toys, road signs, propane tanks and even a porta-potty have been found among the wide array of litter polluting local waters. Recently, there has been a major effort around Lake Norman to embrace the event and include other counties that surround the lake.

In 2003, 165 volunteers at 8 sites, covered 40 miles, collected 61 tires and filled 321 bags for a total of 12,220 pounds of collected debris!

Volunteers should contact the Iredell County recycling coordinator at 704-928-2023 for information and supplies.

Report Illegal Dumping - Year Round

Illegal dumping is a prosecutable offense in Iredell County.

Iredell County's solid waste enforcement officer investigates illegal dumps, illegal burning, littering, uncovered loads and locations of trash throughout the county. The officer investigates complaints from concerned citizens and law enforcement officials alike and has the authority to issue violation citations.

Some of Iredell's biggest illegal dumping problems occur along the back roads of our county. Illegal dumps containing hundreds of tires have been discovered along the side of roadways, and stoves, refrigerators, couches, TV's and microwaves have been found tossed down hills. It is important that homeowners know that they can bring discarded items to the Iredell County landfill at no cost.

Although landowners are ultimately responsible for cleanup, trash from an illegal dump is searched for a name that may lead to the dumping perpetrator. A warning to clean it up is often given before a citation is issued for each day the waste is left in place.

To report an illegal dump call the solid waste enforcement officer at 704-878-5430 to provide the location of the site.

Swat a North Carolina Litterbug - Year Round

Littering North Carolina roadways is not acceptable behavior! Some people simply need to be informed and reminded that their littering, whether deliberate or unintentional, can end with their personal commitment to stop. The Swat-A-Litterbug Program is an educational effort administered by the Office of Beautification Programs within the North Carolina Department of Transportation that tracks down litterbugs through license plates.

In order to communicate to people who litter, each citizen is asked to assist in an educational effort to ensure a cleaner and safer North Carolina roadway system.

Report a litterbug by contacting the Office of Beautification Programs at 1-800-331-5864 or by clicking HERE.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Children's Arbor Day/ Earth Day Festival - April

This huge FREE event is held annually with dozens of "Earth-Friendly" organizations providing a fun-filled and educational afternoon for families.

The festival is co-sponsored by Keep Iredell Clean, Iredell County Recycling, City of Statesville Tree Commission and City of Statesville Recreation and Parks Department. To participate or for more information, call the Iredell County recycling coordinator at 704-928-2023 or visit www.statesvilletrees.org.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the displays, activities, music, wildlife and great outdoors!

RECYCLING

America Recycles Day - November

America Recycles Day (ARD) is a national all-volunteer, non-profit organization which sponsors an annual campaign with the goal of educating and encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products.

The national campaign, working toward the goal of educating and encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products, offers prizes each year for those who pledge online to recycle. Prizes range from a new car, to a spa experience, to a bicycle. A new house is offered every other year!

Click HERE for detailed Iredell County recycling information.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days - last Saturdays of April & September

Twice a year, Iredell County residents are offered the opportunity to rid households of hazardous waste. A licensed hazardous waste dealer is contracted by Iredell County Solid Waste and Recycling for the one-day event. Containers are provided to accept materials and a chemist is available to determine the composition of unknown materials for proper disposal or recycling. Collected usable paint is sent to our local Habitat for Humanity organization.

The event is held from 12:30-5:00 pm.

Note our NEW LOCATION!
Iredell County Solid Waste Facility
354 Twin Oaks Rd, Statesville, NC

Contact Iredell County Recycling for more information at 704-878-5430.

26,000 pounds of household hazardous waste were collected in April 2006

Electronics Recycling - Year Round

This service is provided to collect electronic items that are ready to be discarded. Computers (which are 27% lead and considered hazardous for landfill disposal), office equipment, stereos and TVs are accepted.

Click HERE for detailed Iredell County recycling information.

24,000 pounds of electronics were collected in January 2005 alone.

STEWARDSHIP

Ground Water Guardian Program - Year Round

The Groundwater Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and motivating people to care for and about groundwater.

Stream Watch - Year Round

Stream Watch is a volunteer program made up of individuals or groups who adopt a North Carolina stream. Protection of a watershed can take many forms depending on the interest of the group. Examples include: stream inventories, outings, monitoring, involvement in the permit process, working with local governments and businesses, stream improvement, and education. The program is sponsored by the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

REGIONAL PLANNING

Iredell Environmental Forum - Quarterly

The Iredell Environmental Forum is an effort of Keep Iredell Clean to bring together the wide variety of environmental resources and those that educate others about our environmental concerns, actions and programs. The group assembles quarterly to share information and discuss overlapping issues. At each meeting, two groups will be showcased and groups attending will be asked to bring information to share about their group.

RECOGNITION

Appreciation Luncheon - Fall

KIC recognizes its members, sponsors and supporters during an annual fall Appreciation Luncheon. The event also serves as an annual update of KIC activities. Displays of local environmental interest are on hand along with a "hot topic" program. Lunch is served and recognition is made of special environmental efforts, special people and business sponsors. All members are invited to attend.

Submit a nomination for an Iredell County Environmental Award by clicking HERE.