The SC Sweep returns March 21–29, rallying South Carolinians to clean up their communities
March 5, 2026
PalmettoPride is launching the 2026 SC Sweep, a 10-day statewide campaign inviting South Carolinians to take action against litter and help keep their communities beautiful. Taking place during the first 10 days of spring, the campaign capitalizes on the warmer weather, when many residents are already planning to spend time outdoors and enjoy all our state has to offer.
Families, schools, businesses, civic groups and individuals are encouraged to sign the PalmettoPledge and make a simple commitment: pick up even just one piece of litter, join a local cleanup or organize their own during the SC Sweep. With more than 100 cleanups anticipated across the state, volunteers will have numerous opportunities to make a visible difference. Last year’s inaugural SC Sweep mobilized volunteers in all 46 counties. A total of 1,948 participants contributed 4,140 hours, removing 163,415 pounds of litter in 4,669 bags and saving South Carolina an estimated $144,033 in cleanup costs.
“The SC Sweep brings people together around a shared purpose,” said Sarah Lyles, executive director of PalmettoPride. “Beyond the numbers, it’s about pride in our communities and protecting the places we live, work and play. When people see a cleaner neighborhood, they feel more connected to it and to each other.”
According to the Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study, an estimated 60 million pieces of litter line South Carolina’s roadways and waterways — roughly 12 pieces for every resident in the state. The numbers underscore the scope of the problem, but they also highlight how solvable it is. If each South Carolinian committed to picking up just a few pieces, the impact would be immediate and measurable. The SC Sweep serves as a reminder that when communities take small, collective actions, meaningful change follows.
While the SC Sweep is focused on litter pickup and visible impact, PalmettoPride’s first priority is preventing litter in the first place. Through year-round education programs and public awareness campaigns, the organization works to change behaviors and address the root causes of litter. The SC Sweep complements those efforts by raising awareness of the issue while empowering South Carolinians to take personal responsibility and be part of the solution.
PalmettoPride equips cleanup organizers with free resources, including supplies, planning tools and safety guidance, to help maximize community impact. However, participation does not require hosting a large-scale event. Making a difference can be as simple as picking up a plastic bottle or can during a morning walk. Small, individual actions add up — and when neighbors see someone taking the initiative, it often inspires them to do the same. The campaign encourages South Carolinians to be more mindful of their daily habits and recognize the power of simple actions. To track efforts, PalmettoPride asks participants to report any involvement so the campaign can continue to grow.
In partnership with Keep the Midlands Beautiful, PalmettoPride will kick off the 2026 SC Sweep on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a cleanup of an illegal dumpsite near Columbia’s Denny Terrace neighborhood. Supplies will be provided, and registration is required.
Learn more, sign the pledge or find a cleanup near you at palmettopride.org/scsweep.
About
PalmettoPride leads statewide efforts that inspire and empower community action, build public awareness and support local solutions that reduce litter and care for South Carolina’s environment. Created as the South Carolina Governor’s Task Force on Litter by the SC General Assembly in 1997, the organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2001 and was renamed PalmettoPride — a public-private partnership united by a shared goal: preventing litter by shifting attitudes, habits and expectations around waste in South Carolina.
