Members of the PCBEAC beautification committee celebrating Earth Day by planting native plants to beautify the Education Center at the Pickens County Recycling Center off Old Liberty Road.

COUNTY — For more than 11 years, a team of volunteers, through the PCBEAC beautification committee,  has visited all third-grade classes in Pickens County to teach them about how the earth and all the environments it contains belongs to all of us (and them), and that we are all responsible for taking care of our earth.

This project, the Traveling Trash Bash (TTB), uses six stations to engage and teach the third graders how they can help protect our environment.

Following are some key concepts/messages of the TTB:

Composting

The children learned how pervasive erosion of topsoil decreases the fertility of soil for plants and how food and plant materials can be transformed into healthy fertile soil with the help of earthworms.  Compost enhances our environment and decreases waste.

Stormwater

Students were amazed at the stormwater station where they saw how rainfall runoff can pick up litter, soil, fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, soaps, oil and grease, and then flow into our local creeks, rivers and lakes causing stormwater pollution.  They were taught the difference in the sewer system and storm drains.

Beautification

These third grade students were challenged to make the environment more beautiful by planting flowers and picking up litter in their yards.  It may take generations to make an impact on the litter problem in Pickens County but every child can make a difference.

Recycling

Volunteers show the students what materials can be recycled and reused and how Pickens County saves money by promoting both curbside and county recycling.  This practice will in turn decrease landfill waste, generate revenue, and save taxpayers money.

Litter Control

Pickens County Law Enforcement officers encourage litter law compliance. Various examples of litter collected along roadsides are used to teach how long it takes the material to break down, and what it costs if a person is charged with littering.

The children learn that they have choices for helping or harming their environment  throughout each day. Choices they make can help create a healthier, cleaner environment.