Keep Albuquerque Beautiful

An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful since 1982, Keep Albuquerque Beautiful is dedicated to community education on all solid waste management issues and alternatives through litter control, beautification, and graffiti eradication activities.

These activities are geared toward increasing awareness and changing attitudes through public information. Keep Albuquerque Beautiful is part of a national network, the Keep America Beautiful System. They are respected for their success in litter prevention and recognized by the Wirthlin Public Opinion Survey as the most credible source for environmental information.

KAB's grassroots leaders are increasingly being asked to take an active role in long-term solid waste disposal planning. In KAB's tradition of public education, we provide objective, nonpartisan information to the public on all solid waste disposal alternatives.

For more information, please visit: http://keepalbuquerquebeautiful.com

Training Programs

• Waste: A Hidden Resource
• Waste-in-place
• Waste in the Workplace
• School, Civic, and Business Workshops
• Responsible Retailing

Activities

• Great American Clean-up
• Summer Youth Employment
• Neighborhood Streetscape
• Litter Patrols
• City-wide Video
• Clothing collection
• Litter-Free events
• School presentations and activities
• Murals
• Volunteer opportunities

Funding Opportunities

KAB offers funding opportunities for various groups and projects to improve the aesthetics and cleanliness of the community. Please Call (505) 761-8334 for further information on KAB's funding opportunities.

Environmental Education

Schools, neighborhood associations and community groups may call to schedule:

• Presentations
• Information booths

Topics Include Integrated waste management; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Beautification; Litter and Graffiti Prevention.

Financial Support

The City of Albuquerque maintains a strong affiliation with Keep America Beautiful and provides financial support for the Overall management of the Keep Albuquerque Beautiful program.

The State of New Mexico under the New Mexico Litter Control and Beautification Act makes grant funds available to New Mexico counties, cities and towns for the purpose of litter control and beautification.

Each New Mexico vehicle registration fee includes 50 cents annually for the support of the NM Litter Control and Beautification grant. KAB has received a grant for operating its programs and activities for the past eighteen years.

Executive Board

Keep Albuquerque Beautiful is comprised of an Executive Advisory Board and five subcommittees. Members of the board and these committees are active members of the Albuquerque and serve as citizen representatives.

• Bobby Sisneros, Coordinator
• Dennis Bonfantine, President
• Cliff Richardson, Vice-President
• Vacant, Chair, Municipal
• Margaret Dike, Chair, Education
• Vacant, Chair, Community Activities

Annual Events and Volunteer Opportunities

April
Great American Clean-up
City-wide Video Contest
Recycle-rama
Clothes Collection

May
City-wide Video Awards and Volunteer Recognition
Clothes Collection

June/July
Summer Youth Employment Program

September
Fall Clean-up

October
Balloon Fiesta Recycling Project

November
America Recycles Day

December & January
Telephone Book Recycling
Tree-cycling

February
Environmental Teacher Training Seminar
Tours/Presentations offered year-round

To find out more about any of these programs or events, call (505) 761-8334

Education Outreach Programs

The Solid Waste Management Department is committed to getting the message out that every member of the community, including its children, shares the responsibility for environmentally-sound waste management. The department provides education outreach to public schools as well as community groups and individuals interested in learning about recycling and responsible waste disposal. Find out about how we can all help the environment by reusing, reducing, and recycling our trash. Read below for more information, or call the Solid Waste Management Department at (505) 761-8100.

Recycling Education

Classroom and community presentations on the City of Albuquerque's recycling and trash disposal programs are available. Presentations last approximately one hour. Topics include waste prevention, source reduction, yard waste recycling, safe disposal of hazardous waste, and Albuquerque's Environmental Story. To schedule a presentation, call (505) 761-8334.

Albuquerque's Environmental Story

Albuquerque's Environmental Story: Toward A Sustainable Community is a valuable educational resource in book, multimedia, and online format. Used for two decades as an introduction to Albuquerque's unique environment and an education tool, it gives young people the knowledge base to understand and care for our city's  natural, built, and human environments.

Litter Prevention

Research proves that litter is the result of individual behavior. Littering or being careless in the handling of waste is a personal choice. Studies show that once litter is on the ground, it attracts more litter. By Contrast, a clean community can discourage littering and improve a community's appearance and its quality of life.

Each of us has a role to play in the prevention of litter. It takes just one person to positively impact the behavior of others in their community.

The Cost of Littering

Each year approximately 51 billion pieces of litter land on U.S. roadways. Although a 61% decrease in visible roadside litter since 1969 has been recorded, litter continues to remain a large problem.

Consider the following facts:

• Each year the U.S. pays $11.5 billion in litter cleanup cost.
• The economy and quality of life in a community suffer as a result of litter.
• The environmental consequences of litter are endless.

Who Litters and Why do they Litter?

The largest contributors to roadside litter are motorists and pedestrians. Research has also discovered that age, not gender, is a significant predictor of how individuals litter. Persons under the age of 30 were found to be more likely to litter than older individuals.

Why do individuals litter?

• People choose to litter.
• People are more likely to litter in an environment that they consider littered.
• When individuals feel no sense of ownership for their surroundings they tend to litter.

What You Can Do to Prevent Litter

Each person must choose to make the conscience decision to not litter. Changing a behavior starts with you. Making the choice to take responsibility for your actions will help to reduce litter and influence those around you to change their behavior.

Start with the following:

• Make a choice not to litter.
• Join together with family and friends in making a behavioral change.
• Remind others why they should not litter.
• Volunteer in your community to help cleanup litter.

For more information about litter prevention visit Keep America Beautiful.