Madison County is creating Clean Community Challenge to reduce litter


Clean Communites Challenge

Aug. 11, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Madison County is creating Clean Community Challenge to reduce litter 

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Planning and Development is taking steps to organize a grassroots effort with volunteers as part of a way to reduce litter. 

Planning and Development Director Chris Doucleff said after receiving numerous complaints about litter along the county’s roads, he felt there needed to be a county-wide effort to address the issue.

 “We will be working as a collective across Madison County,” Doucleff said. “Keeping our county clean for both the residents and our visitors is important and we wanted to do something to make sure that happens.” 

Doucleff said communities across the country are taking part in #trashtag challenges, including Alton earlier this year. The Madison County Clean Community Challenge will focus on creating a social media campaign to reduce litter. 

“The idea inspires people to get out of the house and lend a hand to keep streets, parks and other public spaces clean,” Doucleff said. 

The department’s resource management program will build upon the framework of the challenge, boosting the effort to include communities across the county. 

“The plan is to build a county-wide team of action-oriented individuals who take pride in the health and well-being of their communities,” Doucleff said. 

The county is asking residents to complete a short survey online so that it can gauge public interest and identify litter-prone areas. The feedback received will assist in developing strategies and objectives for the litter prevention goals in the county. 

“Community involvement will be a vital component of this effort,” Andi Yancey, Planning and Development’s resource management coordinator said. “We encourage everyone to take the survey and share it with friends, family, and any other individuals or organizations that may be interested!” 

All Madison County residents who complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/combatlitter and they will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 Visa gift card.  The survey is open through Aug. 31. 

Visit the Madison County Sustainability Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Plan.Grow.Sustain to find out more. 

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