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1. How can I volunteer?

If interested you are interested in being a Zone Captain call 919-753-1035.

2. Why is picking up litter important?

Litter:
- Can harm people and pose a health hazard, impacting our drinking water and recreational waterways

- Can harm or kill wildlife that mistake litter for food or get entangled in it

- Can encourage more litter, more crime and vandalism, degrading entire communities

- Can discourage tourism and new business, lowering a community’s economic vitality

- Is Ugly! Untidy! Unsightly! Unnecessary!

Important Note: Litter is 100% preventable! Recycle, dispose of trash responsibly, and cover truck loads!

3. What is the Big Sweep?

Volunteers track the amount and different types of trash collected on data cards. North Carolina Big Sweep, a nonprofit organization, enters data from each county to produce a statewide database, which is then entered into a national and international database by the Ocean Conservancy. This data is used to identify and target specific audiences in need of litter prevention education. Big Sweep volunteers also collect clean aluminum cans, plastic drink bottles, glass, wooden pallets, and tires for recycling. This has helped to divert tons of recyclables from the landfill. Zone Captains also serve as the “eyes and ears” of local waterways to assist their towns and cities in protecting drinking water supplies and tributaries to the larger Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers.

4. What is Wake County Big Sweep?

Wake County Big Sweep is part of the larger North Carolina Big Sweep, a statewide citizen volunteer effort to make our watersheds litter free. Wake County coordinates cleanups across the county in partnership with city and county parks, civic organizations, youth groups, schools, churches, and businesses. Events are planned throughout spring and fall each year.