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The Litter Bowl returned for its sixth annual run this September. A total of six Rutherford County High Schools participated in the Keep Rutherford County Beautiful (KRCB) competition to see who could pick up the most litter. The goal of the competition is to remove litter from our public spaces, including roadsides, parking lots, public parks, trails, and campuses, while encouraging the next generation of environmental stewards.
The Litter Bowl ran from September 19th to September 29th, corresponding with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) Fall Litter Sweep initiative. The participating schools were East Rutherford High School, the Homeschoolers of Rutherford County, Lake Lure Classical Academy, R-S Central High School, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, and Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH).
Overall, students and community members collected an astonishing 2,415 pounds of litter. In first place, Rutherford Early College High School, took home the trophy with 1,035 pounds. R-S Central put up a fight with a total of 630 pounds, and East Rutherford took third place with 435 pounds.
Rutherford County citizens were also encouraged to join in and form litter pickup groups to show support for their favorite local high school while giving back to the community. The Democratic Party of RC picked up 210 pounds from the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority picked up 180 pounds from Coxe Road in Rutherfordton. Rutherford Outdoor Coalition picked up 315 pounds during the Fall River Sweep on the Broad River. Multiple other private citizens and groups collected litter in places like Bills Creek Road, Clark Road, and other locations throughout the county.
The Litter Bowl competition would not have been possible without all of the volunteers who offered their time and efforts. The school leaders Todd Whitley with East Rutherford High School, Heather Roof with Rutherford Early College High School, Andy Dorsey with RS Central High School, Emmaleigh Carpenter with Lake Lure Classical Academy, Misty Yelton with Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, and Lacey Roach with Homeschoolers of Rutherford County all led excellent efforts with their students.
"We are so grateful for the work of the students, teachers, and community members during the Litter Bowl," said Daphne Homen, an AmeriCorps Disaster Relief Member who assisted with the competition this year. "Litter sweeps like these mean that over 2,000 pounds of litter were saved from ending up in our streets, parks, trails, rivers, and public spaces."
Each year the trophy is housed by the winning school, with their name and weight total added to a plaque on the base. The trophy was presented to Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) on October 8th in a ceremony followed by a pizza party celebration.
Although the Litter Bowl has come to a close, individuals can plan on participating in Keep Rutherford County Beautiful's upcoming Spring Litter Sweep in April 2026.
Keep Rutherford County Beautiful began as an Earth Day litter pickup and has transformed into a movement throughout Rutherford County. Neighbors, industry leaders, business owners, schools, and municipalities have joined forces to change the way we define community, leading programs and initiatives to propel Rutherford County's beautification forward by tackling the problems arising from our disposable economy. As of 2023, KRCB became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, the nation's largest community improvement organization. This milestone is a testament to the work the organization has put in since 2017 and the progress they have made. Together, we are taking action to love where we live, work and play.
For more information visit www.KeepRCNCBeautiful.org or email @Keep RCNC Beautiful@Rutherford County NC.gov.
