Litter
Litter is trash that is carelessly discarded in places where it shouldn't be. It can be expensive to clean, is bad for the environment, has negative impacts on quality of life and can eventually end up in our waterways! It has been significantly worse in 2020-2021 nationwide due to various facets of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are committed to tackling litter however we can, it is a large problem and we need your help!
Who Takes Care of Litter?
A lot of litter is cleaned up at the large scale volunteer cleanups that Keep High Point Beautiful hosts throughout the year. Highway and on/off ramp litter is cleaned up by contractors hired by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. One of the best ways that you can help tackle litter in our community is to volunteer at one of our community cleanups. Read below for other ways to help us with litter in our city.
Litter Action Happening Right Now
- Litter Cleanups on NC Highways have resumed
- Check out local litter cleanups happening with Keep High Point Beautiful, our next one is Winter Wipeout in February
Report a Heavily Littered Area
When we receive reports of heavily littered public areas in our city we have a few possible courses of action:
- We can add that area to a list of locations to focus on in future cleanups
- We can help the community organize a neighborhood cleanup (and provide them with necessary supplies)
- We can facilitate a group adopting that area
- If it is private property we can talk with the owner about options and possible solutions
- If it is a highway we can discuss it with our local NC DOT contact and request that they address the area of concern
To report an area in High Point that is heavily littered please consider submitting it here
Swat-A-Litterbug
To report a specific incident of littering please consider utilizing the NCDOT Swat-A-Litterbug program.
The Swat-A-Litterbug Program is an educational effort administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Beautification Programs. Littering North Carolina roadways is not an acceptable behavior - never has been! Some people simply need to be informed and reminded that their littering, whether deliberate or unintentional, can end with their personal commitment to stop.
In order to communicate this to motorists who litter (litterbugs), NCDOT is asking every resident to assist them in their educational effort to ensure a cleaner and safer North Carolina roadway system.
Let them know when a person is littering by contacting the Office of Beautification Programs through the Swat-A-Litterbug process:
- Submit a form Online: On-line Swat-A-Litterbug form to report a litterbug
- Or go here for the mobile friendly version
- Call NCDOT Customer Service Office at 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1-877-368-4968)
Upon receipt of the litterbug information they will:
- Notify the vehicle owner of the littering offense
- Inform the vehicle owner of the penalties for littering
- Urge the litterbug to stop littering
This is an anonymous process.
A formal notification is signed by the Colonel of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (PDF). This letter helps educate and remind citizens of their civic responsibility to protect the environment.
Other Litter Abatement Options
You can always help us tackle litter by volunteering at one of our community cleanups such as:
You can also contact us about adopting a stream, street, or spot.
For further questions please contact Rebecca.Coplin@highpointnc.gov