which is our state’s affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), Inc. Currently, 38 local affiliates of KAB are part of the KSCB network. With support from from this network, PalmettoPride implements localized solutions for addressing litter in communities throughout the state In exchange, PalmettoPride offers funding, training, professional development, and policy-based education to affiliates.
In 1999, Executive Order No. 99-20 established the South Carolina Governor’s Task Force on Litter to lead the fight against litter in our state By 2001, the Task Force effectively established PalmettoPride as a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that is a true public/private partnership comprised of state agencies, concerned citizens, corporate sponsors, and community and civic organizations with the stated goal of encouraging “behavioral change” in our citizens about litter.
Our organization has eight full-time staff members Our board is comprised of five Governor appointees, three President of the Senate appointees, and three Speaker of the House appointees.
Since 2006, PalmettoPride has helped more than 797,404 volunteers remove 91,846,724 pounds of litter from South Carolina roads and natural areas.
Defining Success
Since 2006, PalmettoPride has tracked the total number of pounds of litter picked up by volunteers and, since then, PalmettoPride has helped more than 797,404 volunteers remove 91,846,724 pounds of litter from South Carolina roads and natural areas. In 2006, the average number of pounds of litter picked up per volunteer was 287; for the past few years, the average number has hovered around 50 pounds per volunteer While the number of total volunteers varies slightly each year, this indicates to us that there is less litter to be picked up But, there is still work to be done!
We define our success as an anti-litter organization through the reduction in trash being picked up by paid crews and volunteers, the increase in local litter prevention-focused organizations, updated state litter laws that are now used as a national model, more schools participating in litter prevention programs, and elected officials who champion litter prevention and even participate in community cleanups. Where elected officials embrace litter prevention and pickup programs, we see reductions in litter.
The role of the volunteer in our mission cannot be understated or under-appreciated. The 32,000+ individuals that go out and clean up trash from our roads, neighborhoods and waterways are community heroes. They are inspire others to go out and do eautiful.
Scan to view our Brand Anthem and to learn more about our mission as South Carolina’s anti-litter organization
Education
one million students have seen the show.
15 participating schools
Youth Ambassadors
42,000 K-5 audience members
Litter-Free Games
South Carolina high school clubs and organizations looking to fundraise can do so by making a school athletic event litter-free. PalmettoPride awards hosting organizations with a stipend in exchange for coordinating a litter pickup during a sporting event.
Litter-Free Games give students an opportunity to learn valuable environmental lessons and leadership skills. Ideally, student clubs or organizations will coordinate litter prevention efforts for their school, providing opportunities for community service projects and funding for their organizations.
PalmettoPride launched the Youth Ambassador program in 2022, which is open to South Carolina students between the ages of 14-18 who participate in litter pickup events and are active in school environmental programs.
To represent PalmettoPride, Youth Ambassadors attend events on behalf of PalmettoPride and promote litter-free messages and actions in their own communities. Youth Ambassadors are awarded $1,000 scholarships.
CPTED
g tended activity.
ning free to residents s and community appropriate location r 20-50 students nt officers, city or developers are working sign of structures, ed six CPTED trainings and, Aiken, and
Art Contest
With 16,897 participants across 87 schools and 31 counties just this school year, the art contest is more competitive than ever. PalmettoPride selects the regional winners (Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and the Upstate) and one statewide winner Beginning with the 2025 Art Contest, PalmettoPride will commission an artist to transform the winning artwork into a public art piece (mural, sculpture, etc.) in the state winner’s school or community. Contact education@palmettopride.org with all inquiries about PalmettoPride’s education programs
Statewide Winner: Evelyn Alto-Corneliz 5th Grade at Cowpens Elementary School
Pee Dee Winner: Camille Cockfield 5th Grade at Scranton Elementary
Midlands Winner: Cooper Branham 5th Grade at Pomaria-Garmany Elementary
Upstate Winner: Daisie Edens 4th Grade at Mountain View Elementary
Lowcountry Winner: Skye Magee 5th Grade at Sheridan Elementary
Midlands Winner: Aydin M Soner 5th Grade at Williams Home School
PalmettoPride’s grant programs provide funding and resources to address litter in communities across South Carolina In 2024, PalmettoPride distributed $752,303 across 44 counties; $527,081 in grant dollars, $165,717 in cleanup supplies, and 1,283 trees (estimated value of $59,505) with the goal of moving further towards our mission of achieving a litter-free South Carolina.
For more information on our grant programs, contact PalmettoPride Grant Program Manager Sherryl Jenkins at sjenkins@palmettopride.org.
Tree Grant
PalmettoPride is dedicated to preventing litter in South Carolina and, in working through its Keep South Carolina Beautiful state affiliate status, believes that improving community safety encourages citizens to take ownership and pride in their communities which ultimately leads to less litter
On February 15, 2024, Palm P id i d K America Beautiful Innovatio Grant program, which is coo with the South Carolina Dep (SCDC), and provides free tr places across the state The through the SCDC’s horticul providing valuable job traini PalmettoPride coordinates t and awards trees to state an nonprofits, and various envi
“Our staff and inmates appr work on projects that give b and planting trees helps eve Bryan Stirling said. “We look PalmettoPride and Keep Am future ” g
6,749,425
pounds of carbon, through our tree grant program.
Keep South Carolina Beautiful
Overview
PalmettoPride coordinates Keep South Carolina Beautiful, which is the state of South Carolina’s affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. PalmettoPride supports volunteers and local affiliates within the Keep America Beautiful network in our state and assists in the founding and creation of additional affiliates statewide. Since PalmettoPride brought KSCB under its umbrella of programs, the number of active affiliates has grown from four to thirty-eight.
With support from this growing network, PalmettoPride is able to implement localized solutions for addressing litter in communities throughout the state. In exchange, PalmettoPride offers funding, training, professional development, and policy-based education to affiliates.
Currently, there are two pre-certified affiliates, Keep Fort Mill Beautiful and Keep Winyah Bay Beautiful, expected to expand the total KSCB network to forty affiliates in 2025.
Contact PalmettoPride KSCB Affiliate Services & Special Projects Manager Joseph Berry at jberry@palmettopride.org for more information on the KSCB affiliate network
Our Affiliates
Keep Aiken County Beautiful
Keep Allendale County Beautiful
Keep Anderson County Beautiful
Keep Bamberg County Beautiful
Keep Barnwell County Beautiful
Keep Beaufort County Beautiful
Keep Berkeley Beautiful
Keep Charleston Beautiful
Keep Colleton Beautiful
Keep Conway Beautiful
Keep Darlington County Beautiful
Keep Dorchester County Beautiful
Keep Edisto Beautiful
Keep Florence Beautiful
Keep Georgetown Beautiful
Keep Greenwood County Beautiful
Keep Greenville County Beautiful
Keep Hampton County Beautiful
Keep Hanahan Beautiful
Keep Horry County Beautiful
Keep Jasper County Beautiful
Keep Lancaster County Beautiful
Keep Laurens County Beautiful
Keep the Midlands Beautiful
Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful
Keep Newberry County Beautiful
Keep North Charleston Beautiful
Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful
Keep Oconee Beautiful Association
Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful
Keep Orangeburg County Beautiful
Keep Pickens County Beautiful
Rock Hill Clean & Green
Keep Sumter Beautiful
Keep Wadmalaw Beautiful
Keep Walterboro Beautiful
Keep Williamsburg Beautiful
Keep York County Beautiful
Adopt-a-Highway
When a group of volunteers wants to adopt a highway, they contact their county coordinator who then assigns a road and ensures all necessary forms are filled and submitted. Once established, the group accepts the responsibility to pick up litter four times a year for a period of two years along their designated road.
Total Pounds of Trash Removed by AAH Volunteers from State Roads by County in 2023
Total Miles of Adopted State Roads by County in 2023
Total Number of AAH Volunteers by County in 2023
Adopt-a-Highway
estimated 41,000 miles. The percentage of total adopted miles of state-maintained roads has wavered between 8-11% since 2012 Marketing efforts for the program are now focused on increasing the total number of miles adopted, particularly in more rural communities.
Additionally, we are working closely with county coordinators across the state to encourage AAH volunteers to report data from their cleanups To obtain more accurate representations of their volunteer work, PalmettoPride is overhauling the proper channels to make reporting cleanup data easier than ever.
Total Miles of Adopted State Roads (2020-2023)
While the total number of volunteers has varied, the pounds of trash picked up per volunteer has averaged around 44 pounds since 2012 This indicates, even in years with with fewer volunteers and active groups, there is less trash on our roads to be picked up. While this data is promising, we are committed to moving the program onward and upward as the stewards of our state’s roads.
In 2023, PalmettoPride hired George Marthers as the Pickup Program Manager. With 25+ years of experience with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, George assists in further refining our enforcement programs, overseeing the Adopt-AHighway program, and, in particular, expanding our reach into the PeeDee region. For questions about the AAH program, contact George Marthers at gmarthers@palmettopride org
Strategic Partnerships
so-named for the seven geographic wonders unique to the Palmetto State.
This summer, PalmettoPride team joined SC7 and Friends of Revolutionary Rivers at Lake City Park to clear a paddling trail connecting Lake City to the Lynches River This stretch is part of the 66 miles that make up the South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail.
PalmettoPride Presents at Sustain SC Symposium
This year, PalmettoPride joined the Sustain SC, which is a statewide organization that works at the intersection of commerce and conservation to create a more sustainable South Carolina. In October, Lt. Governor Pamela Evette moderated the Circularity Fireside Chat featuring Atlantic Packaging's Wes Carter and PalmettoPride's Executive Director Sarah Lyles at the 3rd Annual Sustain SC Symposium
Carter and Lyles weighed in on the intersections of a circular economy and recycling/litter in South Carolina. Reducing, reusing, repairing, and repurposing materials for production and consumption in our state not only lowers emissions and protects our natural resources, it creates innovative solutions, reduces costs, increases profits, and saves consumers money.
Secure Your Load
Though more than 80% of littering is intentional, an estimated 20% of litter is unintentional and ends up on our roadways. Operating a vehicle without properly securing its load is not only dangerous and illegal but also contributes significantly to the litter found on South Carolina roadways
PalmettoPride works to educate the public on the dangers of driving an unsecured load, coordinating Tarp It Days with law enforcement and local governments across the state. Partnering with these organizations, PalmettoPride provides tarps and bungees to support these events and communities through programs like the Litter Enforcement Grant
Solid Waste Association of North America, Palmetto Chapter
Strategic Pa
PalmettoPride is actively working to foster its working relationship with the Palmetto Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) to effectively implement South Carolina's waste hauling regulations. It is important to note that 21% of roadway litter is attributed to unsecured loads This partnership aims to mitigate the waste hauling industry's impact on this statistic by ensuring that all loads and coverings are securely attached. In providing the proper training to waste hauling entities, these efforts not only address environmental concerns but also enhance public safety by reducing the risk of accidents caused by debris on the roadways.
6,000 tarps provided
Municipal Court Administration Association
PalmettoPride representatives regularly provide training for the Municipal Court Administration Association meetings to inform court officials about the state's updated litter laws which have now become a national model In providing this training, PalmettoPride hopes to increase the penalties assigned to littering, illegal dumping, and unsecured load tickets and to promote the assignment of litter-gathering labor for other violations that allow for community service as a penalty. Contact PalmettoPride Enforcement Program Manager Samuel H Ford at hford@palmettopride org for more information
artnerships
The Greatest South Carolina Cleanup Kickoff
The Greatest American Cleanup™, a nationwide effort to clean up and beautify America’s parks, public spaces, and waterways in time for America’s 250th Birthday Celebration.
In conjunction with the America250 and the Greatest American Cleanup™ initiatives, PalmettoPride has pledged to host litter pickups along South Carolina's Liberty Trail leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This October, Lt Governor Pamela Evette, PalmettoPride, Keep America Beautiful, and the South Carolina 250 Commission kicked off the Greatest South Carolina Cleanup at Eutaw Springs Battleground Park.
This year, Lt. Gov. Evette hosted #GrabABagSC cleanups at Jeffries Park in Florence, Hurl Rocks Park in Myrtle Beach, and Eutaw Springs Battleground Park in coordination with Keep Florence Beautiful, Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful, and Keep Orangeburg County Beautiful respectively.
Zero Tolerance for Litter
The month of April is South Carolina’s Zero Tolerance for Litter Month The public awareness event is designed to encourage all law enforcement agencies to target littering, uncovered loads, and illegal dumping, and the fines and penalties associated with these crimes.
All recipients of PalmettoPride’s Litter Enforcement Grant are required to participate in the campaign. In a statewide collaboration, agencies like the SC Department of Natural Resources, the SC Department of Public Safety, and the SC Forestry Commission all ensure the campaign is promoted within their respective law enforcement divisions.
South Carolina Litter Control Association
Strategic Pa
$255,737 state and municipal fines collected
Organized in 1987, the South Carolina Litter Control Association (SCLCA) promotes litter enforcement, protects the environment, and helps to heighten public awareness of the problems associated with litter PalmettoPride provides training to local code enforcement officials and provides staff support for SCLCA and works with county officials to develop and improve comprehensive code enforcement and litter control ordinances.
To further our efforts to increase the enforcement of South Carolina’s state litter laws, PalmettoPride provides funding to support professional development for SCLCA’s 126 agency members. In 2024, 28 agencies joined the association Currently, PalmettoPride Enforcement Program Manager Samuel H Ford serves as the President of the SCLCA Board of Directors
artnerships
and natural resources in our state While we have seen a decrease in littering in the natural areas of the forest, trash on our roadways that traverse the forest continues to be a problem.
In 2024, PalmettoPride expanded the cleanup to include Sumter National Forest with funding from the US Department of Agriculture. Additional event partners include the US Forest Service, SC Department of Natural Resources, the SC Aquarium, and many more!
397 volunteers 19,660 pounds picked up
Recycle Here SC Application
This fall, the SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), PalmettoPride, and the South Carolina Beverage Association launched the Recycle Here SC app. The app consolidates information for South Carolina residents on what, where, and how to recycle different items at different locations across the state This resource allows users to search for recycling locations, filter locations based on what items need recycling, find special collection events, and learn about waste reduction programs offered across South Carolina.
The Recycle Here SC app was funded in part through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant offered by the US Environmental Protection Agency and awarded to SCDES and supplemented with funding from PalmettoPride and the SC Beverage Association.
Strategic Partnerships
reports to the appropriate enforcement agency and collaborate to assign charges and offer remediation solutions when possible.
Litter Lessons Curriculum
PalmettoPride, in partnership with Greenleaf Education and the SC Department of Education (SCDOE), developed Litter Lessons–a FREE curriculum resource for grades K-12 that increases awareness of the problem, while providing students with ways to be part of the solution. All lessons meet the current SCDOE curriculum standards As all educators know, children can carry the lessons they learn at school to their homes and make a very real difference in the attitude and conduct of other family members. While the curriculum is designed to be self-guided by facilitators, PalmettoPride staff frequently visits schools to provide this programming at no cost.
Clean Campuses
Continuing our work with sustainability-focused organizations on college campuses across our state, PalmettoPride seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards In creating joint initiatives like campus cleanups, recycling programs, and educational workshops on sustainable practices, PalmettoPride works to promote litter-free lifestyles among college students.
This year, PalmettoPride sponsored a research project conducted by a group of students at Coastal Carolina’s Community and Business Engagement Institute on the impacts of litter on local businesses in the City of Conway
Special Projects
This initiative helps to preserve the natural beauty of waterways and protects the wildlife that keep our aquatic ecosystems thriving. WaterGoats instill a sense of pride in local communities, as volunteers directly assist in the routine maintenance the trash traps require to properly function.
In return, these devices keep local waterways free of obstructions, debris, and trash, and allow communities to continue to enjoy the beauty these features add to our natural spaces. By engaging the community in hands-on conservation efforts, WaterGoats help empower individuals to become stewards of their surroundings.
Through this partnership, PalmettoPride manages illegal dumpsite reports and forwards them to the appropriate litter control or law enforcement agencies.
To support local jurisdictions or individuals dealing with illegal tire dumpsites, PalmettoPride offers grant funding to cover remediation costs, with a maximum of $10,000 per site. As property owners are often responsible for tire removal and bringing legal action, they are given priority in receiving these much-needed funds.
To date, PalmettoPride has granted $19,981 to three entities in Greenville, Walterboro, and North Charleston.
Projects
The sculptures transform discarded items into thoughtprovoking pieces that both educate and inspire By incorporating found objects and debris, Swaim's art not only highlights the pervasive nature of plastic pollution but also encourages viewers to reconsider their own consumption habits.
In 2023, PalmettoPride received a grant from Duke Energy to support the continued installations of Environmental Sculptures in South Carolina communities. Since beginning this project, PalmettoPride has sponsored and coordinated the installations of over 20 sculptures, featuring a variety of wildlife from river otters to swamp rabbits.
Program of the Year: Clara’s Kids Club
Keep Charleston Beautiful
A free youth litter cleanup program offered to children and families located in Charleston, Clara’s Kids Club provides an opportunity to encourage local youth to become passionate about environmental stewardship and take pride in our public spaces Keep Charleston Beautiful’s litter prevention mascot, Clara the Pelican, attends each event as the club rotates to different Charleston City Parks throughout the year. Since the program began in April of 2023, Clara’s Kids Club has hosted 23 events with 370 volunteers to remove nearly 600 pounds of litter from city parks.
Board Member of the Year: Donna Lynes Keep Berkeley Beautiful
Leaders in Litt
SCDOT Partner of the Year: Kim Bobo Greenville County
A dedicated advisor to and member of the Keep Greenville County Beautiful (KGCB) board, Kim Bobo serves as the county coordinator for the Adopt-a-Highway (AAH) program in Greenville County. While PalmettoPride operates the statewide AAH program, SCDOT designates county coordinators to provide logistical support for AAH groups within their respective counties Bobo coordinates over 100 AAH groups in Greenville County; the success of the program is a testament to Bobo’s ability to mobilize volunteers to make a tangible difference in their communities.
Serving as the Keep Berkeley Beautiful chairperson since 2023, Donna Lynes has been active on the board since 2022 and an active participant in local litter cleanup efforts since 2014. Lynes is a Berkeley County School District teacher and strongly believes in the role education plays in litter prevention, frequently attending community events and encouraging the public to become more involved in their mission. Her dedication and involvement have directly led to Berkeley County becoming a more beautiful and cleaner place.
ter Prevention
achievements in the enforcement of our state’s litter laws.
Educator of the Year: Leslie Hatchell Keep York County Beautiful
Serving as the recycling educator/coordinator for York County Collection & Recycling for over 14 years, Leslie Hatchell was instrumental in the development of Keep York County Beautiful (KYCB) She continues to assist KYCB with its litter education and mini-grant programs Hatchell creates opportunities to educate the public about waste reduction and partners with the York County Material Recovery Center to host educational tours and special events Hatchell has always been passionate about litter abatement, having developed the York County Litter Proposal and serving on the Fort Mill Litter Task Force
Volunteer of the Year: Michael San Francisco Keep Greenville County Beautiful
In 2022, Keep Greenville County Beautiful partnered with Michael San Francisco to create a tennis ball recycling program. San Francisco volunteers his time to source and manage the collection of tennis balls around the county. As a tennis player and advocate of sustainability, he recognized the opportunity to divert tennis balls from the landfill by creating a recycling program. Rather than becoming waste, tennis balls can be recycled into dog toys, playground surfaces, and even tennis court resurfacing materials This program now provides convenient court-side recycling bins to nearly 8,700 tennis players a year in Greenville County.
Leaders in Litter Prevention
This program was made possible by PalmettoPride grant funding and partnerships with Walker’s True Value Hardware Store and Horry County Memorial Libraries.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. Innovation Award for Local Partnership
Keep North Charleston Beautiful received the Innovation Award from Keep America Beautiful for its Adopt-a-Park program, which allows groups of five or more volunteers to adopt a section of a North Charleston park
Through this program, businesses, park users, and community groups can take an active role in protecting and enhancing neighborhood parks within the City of North Charleston.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. President’s Circle Awards
The award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful (KAB) in creating clean, green, and beautiful communities Affiliates recognized with this award have met standards of merit of KAB by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index; administering initiatives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify the community; and other standards related to the mission and vision of KAB. Representatives from KAB attended the 2024 South Carolina Litter Summit to recognize the 25 Keep South Carolina Beautiful affiliates that earned 2023 President’s Circle Awards.
Litter Summit
g p g p p p g
Session topics include Adopt-a-Highway, community service best practices, capacity building, marketing, waste hauling and litter ordinances, and many more! Additionally, Keep SC Beautiful and the SC Litter Control Association hold an awards luncheon during the conference
Measurables
Design Trainings: 6 trainings
Litter-Free Games: 15 schools
Pickup
Total Cleanup Numbers
Pounds of litter removed: 1,433,806
Volunteers: 32,481
Cost abatement: $2 5 million
Adopt-a-Highway
Pounds of litter removed: 641,455
Volunteers: 14,713
Miles adopted: 4,363
Groups: 1,303
New groups: 148
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest Cleanups
Pounds of litter removed: 19,660
Volunteers: 397
g p g
59 unsecured load tickets
2,267 warnings
$71,147 fines collected
**14 agencies reporting
KSCB
38 affiliates in South Carolina
Two pre-certified affiliates: Keep Fort Mill Beautiful & Keep Winyah Bay Beautiful Two KAB Innovation Awards: Keep Conway Beautiful & Keep North Charleston Beautiful
Special Projects
Watergoat Trash Traps: 17 in 11 counties
Environmental Sculptures: 22 in 10 counties
Recycle Here SC App: $15,000
6,000 tarps
4,021 grabbers
53,448 bags
3,463 vests
**Includes Recycle SC App and Tire Dump Funding
Awareness
Three #GrabABagSC Cleanups with Lt Gov Evette: Orangeburg County, Horry County, and Florence County Earned Media 377 media items Advertising
Tire Dump Remediation: $19,981 granted to three entities in Greenville, North Charleston, and Walterboro
Joseph Berry
Esther Wagner
Hannah Feeley
Debbie Cohea
George Marthers
Sherryl Jenkins
Samuel H. Ford
Megan Hamilton
Thank You!
Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on all that we’ve accomplished this year, we must acknowledge that it would not be possible without our dedicated supporters. Because of your commitment, we’ve been able to take meaningful steps towards reducing litter, increasing awareness around litter prevention, and keeping South Carolina beautiful. Annually, the support we receive from our partners and supporters in the Statehouse is vital to keep us on track towards achieving our mission. Like many sustainability and environmental-focused organizations, we rely on the power of collective action. The enthusiasm that our vast network of volunteers displays inspires us to continue our fight against litter, one piece of trash at a time.
Together, we are making a lasting difference for future generations. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to protect and preserve the beauty of the state of South Carolina we all know, love, and appreciate
