Linking Letter Prevention to Business Growth

A cleaner South Carolina isn’t just an environmental goal—it’s also an economic strategy. That was the message shared by Sarah Lyles, executive director of PalmettoPride, during a recent appearance on the business program Let’s Talk Business South Carolina.

Speaking with host Rick Jenkins, Lyles explained how the statewide organization works with businesses, volunteers and government agencies to reduce litter and promote community pride across the state.

Statewide Effort Built on Local Engagement

PalmettoPride traces its roots to the Governor’s Task Force on Litter, which was launched in 1997 to address growing concerns about roadside litter. The organization later became a nonprofit and now coordinates litter prevention initiatives across South Carolina.

“Our mission is to create and implement statewide and local programs for litter control,” Lyles said. “We focus on four areas—education, enforcement, awareness and pickup.”

The organization works closely with affiliates of Keep America Beautiful and coordinates efforts with Keep South Carolina Beautiful, creating a network that reaches every county in the state.

Local volunteers are the backbone of the program. In 2025 alone, about 32,000 volunteers helped remove roughly 1.2 million pounds of litter from beaches, parks and roadways across South Carolina.

Cleaner Communities Help Attract Businesses

Lyles said litter control also plays a role in economic development. Companies considering relocating to South Carolina evaluate many factors—including the overall appearance and cleanliness of communities.

“There have been instances where businesses chose not to locate in a city because of litter issues,” Lyles said. “We’ve also seen companies decide to move to communities specifically because they are clean and well-maintained.”

South Carolina’s natural assets—its beaches, mountains and tourism destinations—contribute to the state’s brand. Excessive litter can undermine that image, making prevention efforts important for both quality of life and economic competitiveness.

Population Growth Raises the Stakes

South Carolina’s population has grown by about 24 percent over the past two decades, yet the amount of litter collected has not increased at the same pace. Lyles said that trend suggests education and prevention efforts are helping reduce littering behavior.

However, with projections showing the state could add another one million residents in the next 15 years, maintaining that progress will require continued collaboration between businesses, government agencies and residents.

“We can’t keep playing defense by only picking up litter,” Lyles said. “We have to focus on prevention.”

Businesses Encouraged to Lead by Example

PalmettoPride works with companies across the state on sponsorships, volunteer projects and employee engagement initiatives. Lyles said businesses can make a major impact simply by setting clear expectations within their own operations.

“Make sure your campus is litter-free, provide trash receptacles and show employees that cleanliness matters,” she said. “When businesses set that social norm, it influences behavior beyond the workplace.”

Companies can also partner with local beautification organizations or participate in community cleanup efforts coordinated through the state’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

How Residents Can Help

For individuals, the solution is straightforward: pick up litter when they see it and avoid contributing to the problem.

Lyles also encourages residents to secure loads in pickup trucks, properly dispose of waste and support local cleanup efforts.

“We all need to work together to create an environment that keeps people from littering,” she said. “It’s about changing social norms so that litter simply isn’t acceptable.”

More information about volunteer opportunities and programs is available at www.PalmettoPride.org.