In an effort to remove litter from street sides, Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) is joining Keep Carroll Beautiful (KCB) in its Adopt-a-Road (AAR) program. Employees of the cooperative will begin to routinely pick up trash on the one mile stretch of highway in front of the Carrollton headquarters.
Participants in the AAR program are required to schedule cleanups at least four times a year and monitor their assigned road in between sessions. Carroll EMC’s first litter pick-up was Friday, Dec. 3, and co-op employees gathered 10 bags of trash weighing 60 pounds after two hours of labor. KCB provides the needed supplies, including trash bags, pickup sticks, rubber gloves and high visibility safety vests, to get the job done safely and efficiently.
“We’re so used to seeing litter on the side of the road that we tend to turn a blind eye to it,” said Member Advocate for Carroll EMC, Rolando Benitez. “It stays there for weeks or months or even years until its buried under more debris or the wind carries it off elsewhere. If it weren’t for the combined efforts of the county and organizations like KCB, our roads would be in even worse condition.”
Contributing to the AAR program is just another way Carroll EMC supports KCB and its environmental initiatives. The organization was awarded an Impact Grant in 2019 to fund the purchase of supplies previously noted. The cooperative, and its Members through Operation Round Up® (ORU), helped KCB restock and equip the 15 other groups active in the AAR program.
“It’s always a blessing when we receive grants and even more so when we have volunteers who put those funds to use,” said Martyna Griffin, Executive Director for KCB. “As a non-profit, our community supports us financially, and Carroll EMC’s Impact Grants have been a great help over the years.”
Carroll EMC Members who are interested in enrolling in ORU can do so at carrollemc.com/operation-round. By rounding their electric bill to the nearest whole dollar, Members can support their communities for less than $12 a year.
AAR signage is recognizable on the many miles that have been adopted to help beautify Carroll County, and they serve as a reminder to remain conscience of litter prevention. Groups not able to adopt a road are encouraged to participate in the Adopt-a-Trail program focused on cleaning the 18-mile Carrollton GreenBelt.
Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 52,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.
