Earth Month Round-up in Rutherford County

Volunteers at Cliffside Community Clean-up Day

Keep Rutherford County Beautiful is thrilled to share the results of an inspiring tenth annual Earth Month this spring. Programs and events for this year included school visits from Keep Rutherford County Beautiful’s mascots, Rocki and Roxi, scholarship awards, the RecycleBot Challenge, and inspirational leaders guiding groups through roadsides, parks, and parking lots to collect litter in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The completion of Earth Month once again showed the passion and commitment our community members have for our beautiful county.

Scott and Lisa Weber with the Town of Spindale at the Greatest American Cleanup

ScoBusinesses, students, teachers, churches, and community members came together for a successful Spring Litter Sweep, involving 17 sweeps with 190 volunteers and over 3,000 pounds of litter collected across the county. KRCB's Spring Litter Sweep is held alongside NCDOT's efforts, which resulted in 29 roads cleaned up across our county. Collectively, volunteers and NCDOT crews cleaned up over 50 areas in Rutherford County! Following Spring Litter Sweep, Tourism Development Authority scheduled paid pick-up of remaining roads in need of clean-up. These collective efforts all contribute to keeping our county green and clean for locals and visitors alike.

Passionate leaders led Spring Litter Sweep teams all across the county, including:

Team Moyers on Westbrook and Thompson Rd

Team Fred and Lisa on Old Ball Park Rd

Team Cliffside cleaned up and beautified around the Cliffside sign

Team Befesa on Hicks Grove Road

Team Dalen and friends on Painters Gap Rd

Team Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock Village

Team TDA on Coxe Rd

Team ROC and Town of Spindale on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail in Spindale

Team Rutherfordton Robotics around Rutherfordton Elementary

Team Moyers after cleaning up Westbrook and Thompson Road

Team Gilberts on Bugger Hollow and Ellenboro Henrietta Rd

Team Rutterford and their Bible Study Group at Kiwani's Park

Team Cub Scouts at Kiwani's Park

Team Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity at Walmart in Forest City

Team Artifacturing at Sparks Drive

Spring Litter Sweep is made possible by the donated bags and pick-up services by NCDOT, funding and collaboration from Tourism Development Authority, and the incredible work of KRCB committee members and volunteers.

The Keep Rutherford County Beautiful team also visited multiple schools in celebration of Earth Month. Five elementary schools met with Rocki to learn the importance of recycling and upcycling through the RecycleBot Challenge, which was a staggering success with 88 entries and 27 winners across 9 categories. Our innovative winners received prizes generously donated by KidSenses Interactive Children’s Museum, Chimney Rock State Park, and Scoop Ice Cream of Forest City, plus RecycleBot Challenge stickers and seed papers for all participants. This year's challenge was hosted in partnership with KidSenses Museum and the Library, who hosted the RecycleBots in person for all community members to see and engage with.

Best Overall Winner in the RecycleBot Challenge, created by Emersyn Mitchell at Pinnacle Elementary

The kindergarteners of Thomas Jefferson Grammar Academy learned the benefits of reusing items, like straws, from a fun and educational book reading. Sixth graders from across the county participated in the Isothermal Community College Science Expo learning about how to be stewards of our watershed. Students across all ages demonstrated passion for their community and the environment by expressing their knowledge and desire to understand more. 

In addition to programs with elementary and middle schools, Keep Rutherford County Beautiful awarded a $1,200 and $500 scholarship to local 2026 high school graduates, Delaney Kinter at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy and Casse McFarland at East Rutherford High School. The scholarship was generously funded by Broad River Water Authority and Dr. Brock Hefflin. We wish Delaney and Casse, and all the 2026 high school graduates the best luck with their upcoming endeavors and well-deserved congratulations!

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Kindergarteners at an Earth Day Storytime

Although Earth Month is officially over, Keep Rutherford County Beautiful is always facilitating events to keep our county clean and green. From pollinator garden workdays to litter sweeps and river sweeps over the summer, there are many exciting volunteer opportunities on the horizon! 

Keep Rutherford County Beautiful began as an Earth Day litter pickup and has transformed into a movement throughout Rutherford County, North Carolina. 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. 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 about KRCB, visit their website www.KeepRCNCBeautiful.org, Facebook page @KeepRCNCBeautiful, Instagram page @keeprcncbeautiful, or email KeepRCNCBeautiful@RutherfordCountyNC.gov