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Keep Hilliard Beautiful tells council about monthly cleanups, partnerships and litter index
Summary
Keep Hilliard Beautiful presented its history, volunteer program and metrics — reporting a 2026 litter index of 1.6, roughly 430 volunteer hours last year and more than 5,000 pounds of trash collected — and asked for continued city support.
At the March 23 Hilliard City Council meeting, volunteers from Keep Hilliard Beautiful gave a detailed presentation on the group's history, ongoing cleanup events, partnerships and program statistics.
Bevon Schneck, representing Keep Hilliard Beautiful (KHB), told council that KHB is Hilliard’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate and described three program pillars: ending litter, beautifying public spaces and improving recycling. Schneck said KHB has a nine‑member board and coordinates closely with the Environmental Sustainability Commission and other local partners.
Schneck summarized operational practices—monthly family‑friendly cleanups with safety vests and briefings, annual beautification projects with churches and historical groups, school and scout participation, and lending picker‑uppers and buckets to homeowners associations. Schneck noted the city helps by picking up collected bags and by providing publicity through the city newsletter and social media.
On metrics, KHB reported a 2026 litter index of 1.6 (up slightly from 2025 but down from 2024), about 430 volunteer hours last year and more than 5,000 pounds of trash collected. Schneck identified arterial roads that border Columbus and retention ponds as recurring problem areas for trash and said cigarette butts, plastic bags and cups are the most common debris.
Council members praised volunteers and asked procedural questions: how supplies are shared with HOAs, how volunteers sign waivers, and how the group recruits students needing service hours. Councilman Betts, who helps organize cleanups, described volunteer turnout and thanked KHB for its work.
KHB asked council to continue support through in‑kind services and by making commission funding available if needed; Schneck said the ESC budget has been the usual mechanism if financial support is required. The presentation concluded with an offer to add council members to KHB’s volunteer email list and a general invitation for questions and participation.
