Community Colleges, Coca-Cola UNITED and RC&D partner with Alabama PALS for 2024 “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Spring Cleanup
MONTGOMERY – The annual Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State) “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Statewide Spring Cleanup and recycling event continues to expand, this year welcoming more community colleges to the initiative through a partnership with the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils.
During Community College Month in April, Alabama’s 24 community and technical colleges will work alongside city, county and community officials to complete projects that help beautify Alabama through litter pickup and recycling activities. The projects are in collaboration with Alabama People Against a Littered State (Alabama PALS), Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED and Alabama RC&D Councils, and range from picking up litter along roadways to helping beautify entrances and exits into local parks, cities or facilities.
In 2023, the event resulted in over 600 tons of litter and debris being removed from Alabama’s roadways, highways, and communities.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth applauded the spring cleanup initiative.
“From its mountains in the north to beaches in the south and all points in between, Alabama ranks among the nation’s most beautiful states, and it’s important we take every measure to keep it that way,” he said.
“Litter detracts from our ability to appreciate all of the natural wonders Alabama offers, and combating it must remain a high priority.”
Senator President Pro-Tem Greg Reed stated he was proud of the efforts that keep Alabama beautiful.
“From the Shoals to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama offers some of God’s most incredible creations, and we all need to do our part to keep Alabama beautiful. Our natural wonders are such a resource to our state, and litter and trash tarnishes these environmental assets. I am incredibly proud of the efforts made to maintain the beauty of Alabama for our children and future generations,” he said.
During a press conference at the State House on Tuesday, April 9, Alabama RC&D Program Developer Drayton Cosby said that Don’t Drop It On Alabama ties closely to the mission of RC&D.
“Everyone involved with Don’t Drop It On Alabama appreciates the beauty of our state. This campaign aligns closely with an important RC&D goal, which is to promote and protect Alabama’s natural resources,” he said.
“RC&D is grateful to work alongside this partnership, with the support of the Alabama Legislature, and we fully expect that this investment will ensure that our state remains a top destination to live, work and enjoy.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter applauded the spring cleanup initiative.
“From Little River Canyon in my home district to the beaches in coastal Alabama that visitors travel from far and wide to experience, our state truly has it all. We’re blessed to live in Alabama the beautiful, and it’s our responsibility to protect it for future generations,” he said.
Alabama State Sen. Bobby Singleton stated, “I want to thank Alabama People Against a Littered State for their efforts year after year to keep our state clean. By forging this partnership with our community colleges, they are teaching our young people the importance of protecting our environment and showing them that it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of our communities.”
Alabama House Minority Leader, Rep. Anthony Daniels, praised the spring cleanup efforts as an opportunity to set an example for generations to come.
He stated, “When you become a father, you also become a role model for your children and one of the most important things I’ve learned as a father is that we should teach our children to have respect for the environment and the world around them. Especially in Alabama, we are blessed to live in such a beautiful state and it’s up to all of us to keep it that way.”
Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, said the spring events help bring communities together.
He stated, “Our decades-long partnership with Alabama PALS on the Annual Spring Cleanup continues to be one of the most rewarding endeavors across all 67 counties. The event is a favorite among county officials, employees and residents alike, as it provides an opportunity for everyone to come together and show their shared pride for and commitment to their county. We appreciate the important work of Alabama PALS as they continue to promote the beautification of our great state.”
Alabama PALS Executive Vice President Spencer Ryan said community partnerships with Coca-Cola UNITED and others are why the “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Statewide Spring Cleanup and other PALS Programs are so successful.
“Alabama PALS is proud of the many partnerships that make the many statewide programs of Alabama PALS possible. These supportive and dedicated partners share the same mission of “working together for a cleaner and more beautiful Alabama.” PALS is proud to have the commitment of Coca-Cola UNITED as the Title Sponsor of the 2024 “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Statewide Spring Cleanup, and it is an honor to have ACCS and RC&D as partners in the 2024 ACCS Campus Cleanups and recycling efforts this year,” said Spencer Ryan of PALS.
The “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup partnership marks the second year in which the ACCS and Alabama RC&D have connected through a sponsorship. Last year, Alabama RC&D funded veterans’ workshops at Alabama’s community colleges to outline college and community initiatives that supported them.
“The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) has had the footprint to make the most change across Alabama’s communities for 61 years, and events we’ve held in conjunction with Alabama RC&D and ALPALS highlight just how serious we are about serving Alabama, together with partners, in every way that matters for our state to achieve success,” said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the ACCS.
ABOUT THE ACCS
Alabama’s community and technical colleges were merged into one system May 3, 1963, when legislators laid the groundwork for a unified system of institutions to focus on accessible training in “arts and sciences and in useful skills and trades” for current and future labor needs. Sixty years have passed, but that important cause remains the singular purpose of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). With 24 community and technical colleges in more than 130 locations and an economic impact of $6.6 billion, the ACCS is Alabama’s gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. An estimated 155,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs the ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry, and the ACCS Innovation Center, which provides rapid skills training through its Skills for Success program. The ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.
ABOUT ALABAMA PALS
Alabama PALS is a 501 C-3 Not-for-Profit, statewide organization dedicated to providing and implementing anti-litter programs for all Alabama counties, cities, communities, schools and other groups striving to enhance their environmental and economic impact through a litter free, cleaner and more beautiful environment.
Since 1987, Alabama PALS and our valued partners have created, maintained and implemented successful statewide litter prevention programs that have enhanced each and every corner of our great state.
ABOUT ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS
The Alabama Association of RC&D Councils includes nine Councils that depend on the leadership, abilities and unique skills of the individuals within the communities they serve. The high level of volunteer commitment and credibility has made RC&D one of the most successful delivery systems in Alabama. RC&D Councils are dedicated to conserving, enhancing, and developing Alabama to make our state a better place to live, work, and play.
ABOUT COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY UNITED
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler in North America and the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. Now with its fifth generation of family working in the business, Coca-Cola UNITED has more than 10,000 associates located in more than 50 facilities across six southeastern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee). Historically significant franchises within our Coca-Cola UNITED family include Chattanooga, the world’s first Coca-Cola bottler; Atlanta, home of the worldwide Coca-Cola System; and Columbus, Georgia, development site of the original Coca-Cola formula. Learn more at cocacolaunited.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).