Keep Carbondale Beautiful initiates, plans, and directs cooperative efforts in litter control, recycling, community beautification, and environmental education.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving the Southern Illinois community since 1987 (initially as "Carbondale Clean & Green") and we are an affiliate of Keep Illinois Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving the Southern Illinois community since 1987 (initially as "Carbondale Clean & Green") and we are an affiliate of Keep Illinois Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Spring Clean-up! Annual Spring
Clean-up!! Annual Spring Clean-up!!!
January 2025 Bright Spot Award:
Carbondale Public Library
Carbondale Public Library
November 2024 Bright Spot Award
Lighthouse Learning Academy
October 2024 Bright Spot Award
1004 West Schwartz Street
September 2024 Bright Spot Award
Memorial Hospital Campus
August 2024 Bright Spot Award:
409 East Snider Street
July 2024 Bright Spot Award:
2008 West Sunset Drive
2008 West Sunset Drive
June 2024 Bright Spot Award:
Little Resource Center, 801 E Walnut
June 2024 Bright Spot Award:
Elks Lodge, 220 W. Jackson
May 2024 Bright Spot Award:
817 High Street
April 2024 Bright Spot Award: United Methodist Church
March 30th Pre-Eclipse Clean-up a Success!!
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March 2024 Bright Spot Award: Mayer Networks
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February 2024 Bright Spot: Eurma Hayes Center
Grab-N-Go Litter Clean Up Supplies
Pick-up supplies always available on Hickory Lodge screened porch
Please leave your contact information so that we can follow-up you.
Send pictures of you and your friends 'in-action' to [email protected]
We know that single use plastics are bad, but they're not going to go away anytime soon, so how can YOU help when it comes to single use plastics?
Any kids, or adults that want to learn and have a little fun, can click here to play an informative "Super Sorter" browser-based, recycling game!
Knowing more about how plastics affect our environments and communities is a big first step towards helping.
Let's all do our part to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
- Always pack a reusable bag when shopping. (And yes—reusable totes are better for the environment than plastics, recent media claims aside.)
- Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers.
- Buy in bulk. Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs.
- Though buying online sometimes has a lower carbon footprint than shopping in a store (skip the express delivery option, if you can), online shipments are still chock-full of plastic. Your best bet to reduce your footprint and plastic waste? Walk, bike, or take public transit to buy in-person.
- Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option.
- Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go.
- Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags.
- Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your city’s newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors.
- Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. Tweet, call, or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to more durable, recyclable, compostable, renewable, and/or recycled-content packaging with less fossil fuel–derived plastic.
Any kids, or adults that want to learn and have a little fun, can click here to play an informative "Super Sorter" browser-based, recycling game!
Knowing more about how plastics affect our environments and communities is a big first step towards helping.
Let's all do our part to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
Get Involved
If you've ever asked yourself: Where do I recycle in or around Carbondale? How can I clean up my local neighborhood? What can I do to be more environmentally friendly? On this website, you will find information on our programs, ways you can help the local environment, useful links, and much more.
There are a number of ways you can help keep Carbondale beautiful:
Look for upcoming volunteer opportunities on the Calendar of Events
Learn more about student internship opportunities
Become a member
Serve on the board of directors
Check out our Help Wanted list for ideas
No time? Financial support is also involvement! Contribute here
Announcements
We expect by September we'll be able to make the trip to Forrest Keeling Nursery. Please check out the Tree Sale page and think about planting trees in the fall.
Carbondale uses See Click Fix so that citizens can report a concern, or see what issues have been reported and what's being done. You can also download the SeeClickFix app to your phone. Please help raise awareness about this wonderful addition to a responsive and transparent city hall.
Partnerships
We take our mission seriously, but interpret it broadly to include other aspects of community greening and – as Keep America Beautiful puts it – building vibrant communities. So we partner with other groups, such as
- Built Environment Action Team to promote walkable and bikeable streets
- City of Carbondale to educate the public on recycling
- Illinois Native Plant Society, and U of I Extension to create guidelines for property owners wanting to create native habitat
- Illinois Master Naturalists to develop Champion Tree Contest
- Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition in their grant
- Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts on environmental programming
- The Science Center to plan special exhibits
- ... and more to come, with your support.