Trash for Cash

Earn Green, Keep Kenton County Clean

The Kenton County Trash for Cash Program

Utilizing the Kentucky Division of Waste Management, Litter Abatement Grant Money, the Kenton County Solid Waste Division will pay approved 501(c)3 organizations $100 per mile (both sides of road) to pick up trash off of approved roadways within Kenton County. This program runs from April 1st through September 30th each year.

Interested groups must be a federally-recognized 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, to apply. If you are not a 501(c) 3, you can apply online.

Funds are limited each year and the program is first come, first serve. Applicants must have all proper paperwork completed and approved before beginning the program each year by Kenton County Solid Waste Management.

Application Process

To apply to participate in the program, please complete the online form. The form includes several components, including:

  • Application Instructions
  • Organization Information
  • Cleanup Preference
  • Litter Agreement

All organizations must also submit their most recent W-9 tax form via mail or fax to the Kenton County Solid Waste Coordinator, Melissa Grandstaff.

Your organization will be notified when your application and paperwork has been received and reviewed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

Documents & Forms for Approved Groups

Testimonials

Trash for Cash Participants

"The Northern KY Young Marines recently picked up trash along 10 miles of roadway in Independence, KY. The weather was perfect, but the amount of trash scattered along our route was quite depressing. The majority of the refuse was cigarette butts, fast food wrappers, and alcoholic beverage containers. A 12-year-old Young Marine commented that she didn't understand why people littered, which started a great conversation amongst the Young Marines. Questions like 'Don't people realize that trash cans are everywhere?!', 'Are people really THAT lazy or are they just inconsiderate?', and 'Do people know that others have to pick this up?' were asked ... but the adults didn't have answers for them." -Northern Kentucky Young Marines

Kentucky Bombers and Covington Athletics members pose for a photo alongside a roadway.

"The experience of collecting items and forgotten pieces of everyday life was empowering. It was empowering observing the various items spread across our beloved streets slowly disappear into our black bags of concealment and once again become the beautiful natural green landscape that our community values. Finding lost shoes, shirts, hats to once thirst-quenching water bottles and decaying fast food treasures that once held delicious local cuisine. To best collect everything in a timely manner, we split into groups of fours. The most surprising aspect were snakes whom we disturbed in their natural habitat while alongside roads without sidewalks. Collecting others discarded items really opened our eyes and influenced us to take more pride in our community as a clean and safe environment. Ultimately, one piece of discarded items such as cups, bags, bottles, or any single item can turn into a hazard not only for community members but also our precious wildlife. A safe and clean community brings more potential home buyers and businesses to our community. Keeping our community clean was a very fulfilling experience that we all hope to experience again in the future while doing our part of not contributing to the build up of discarded items and collecting items as we observe them alongside of the road while walking through our beautiful community." -KY Bombers/Covington Athletics

Banklick Watershed Council members pick up trash along roadway.

"Though working a relatively short stretch of roadway, the group collected more than a dozen bags of litter. The litter consisted mostly of plastic items ranging from grocery bags, food and beverage containers to automobile parts and pieces.

Most surprising to the participants was the abundance of cigarette butts on the ground. The concentration was even more impressive given that, except for the occasional ashtray dump, cigarette butts are generally tossed out one at a time. This observation prompted some questions and a little research. Do smokers assume that the discarded cigarette butts that appear to be paper just go away?

It turns out that the filters are made of plasticized cellulose acetate, which over a long period of time will break down into smaller pieces, but is not biodegradable. Used filters are also considered to be hazardous waste due to the toxic components including heavy metals. 'If it’s on the ground, it’s in the water.'

It is a little disheartening to know that, after the work of a cleanup like the one we just completed, the problem of litter continues for now. So we are looking forward to another cleanup while hoping that in the near future 'pickings are slim.' "

-The Banklick Watershed Council