Great American Cleanup Starting in Stephens Co.

Volunteers are taking time starting this month for some spring cleaning across Stephens County.

It is time once again for the annual Great American Cleanup.

The Great American Cleanup is a nationwide event in its 17th year that brings volunteers together to remove litter and debris, clean up waterways, reduce waste, and educate people about keeping communities clean.

Keep Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful organizes the Great American Cleanup in Stephens County.

K-T-S-C-B Executive Director Linda Scofield said this year’s theme is “Picking up the Pieces.”

“It is as simple as each person in any area, not just here in Stephens County, but if you pick up three pieces of trash and multiply it for as many people as we have, our roads will be completely litter-free,” said Scofield. “It does not take but everybody doing their little bit each day to make a big difference.”

As part of the Great American Cleanup, Keep Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful is planning a couple of different events this month.

The first is this Saturday, April 11, when K-T-S-C-B is encouraging people to pick up litter along a road of their choosing and then drop the roadside litter bags off at dumpsters that will be set up at the Fernside Drive Fire Department in Toccoa.

Scofield said they will collect trash at the Fernside Fire Department on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The county commissioners are coming and actually doing a little barbecue, we will have hot dogs and hamburgers, between and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.,” said Scofield. “Hopefully, by the end of the day, our roads will be trash-free and then we will be giving out awards at 3:30 p.m. for the people who bring in the most.”

Then on Saturday, April 25, K-T-S-C-B and Stephens County are teaming up to host an “amnesty day” at the Stephens County Landfill on Highway 145.

Scofield said on April 25, people will be able to unload large household trash at no cost.

“That is a great opportunity to unload mattresses, couches, any kind of metal products, electronics, all sorts of things,” said Scofield. “The only thing they cannot bring is tires and construction materials.”

She went on to say that she appreciates the Stephens County Commission allowing this “amnesty day.”

“That is huge,” said Scofield. “I think everybody has a lot to clear out and I think this is a great opportunity for them to do it.”

The Great American Cleanup has events occurring in the Spring through the Fall.

For more information on the Great American Cleanup in Stephens County, call Scofield at 706-391-0110.