Brightside Louisville outlines litter‑abatement programs, offers 'Cash for Trash' payments to Windy Hills groups

Alec Brohnson, community outreach coordinator for Brightside Louisville, and Mae Marks, the group's events and volunteer supervisor, spoke to the Windy Hills City Council on Jan. 13 about Brightside’s three priorities — litter abatement, beautification and education — and invited local participation in seasonal and monthly cleanups.

Brightside officials said community-wide cleanups typically occur in March/April and August/September, with additional monthly events outside the winter months. Brohnson described “Sips & Sweeps” cleanups that pair a neighborhood pickup with a stop at a local coffee shop or brewery. Marks outlined a “Cash for Trash” program that pays nonprofit or not‑for‑profit organizations $100 per mile for litter pickups, with a minimum of three miles and a 10‑mile maximum, and said cleanup supplies are available on request for teams of two to 100 people.

Why it matters: Brightside’s volunteer programs and stipends can help Windy Hills reduce roadside litter and support organized neighborhood cleanups without requiring city staff to lead every event. Officials encouraged corporate sponsorships to adopt cleanup areas and asked residents to report old Adopt‑A‑Mile signage so sponsors can be contacted about replacement.

Brohnson and Marks said Brightside is supported by Louisville Metro staff pay while donated labor and funds sustain on‑the‑ground cleanup work. They urged community groups and businesses to consider adopting an area and to contact Brightside for supplies or scheduling details. The presenters said the 2025 calendar will be released soon to firm up dates for spring and fall cleanups.

The council did not take action during the presentation, but members said they would follow up to coordinate supplies and volunteer events in the coming months.