The Covered Bridge Festival was a time for community members across Carter County to come together and enjoy what the community has to offer, but for Keep Carter County Beautiful, it was also a chance to showcase the new recycling bins they have funded they aim to utilize, while also showing how far they have come as an organization.

Chairman Edward Jordan said the new recycling bins have already found their ways in a variety of locations, including the Riverside Taphouse, Roan Mountain and Sycamore Shoals State Parks and more.

“It is very gratifying to see all the support,” Jordan said.

The bins are the result of a surprise Coca-Cola grant KCCB applied for a few months ago shortly after discovering it. The bins also incorporate KCCB’s new logo design, distinguishing them from other city or county recycling bins.

“We are very thankful people are recognizing this,” he said. “It empowers people to get involved.”

Jordan also said the bins help the organization follow its three main points of focus: awareness, enforcement and cleanup. In particular, he said the bins help the first point by putting their name out there for the public to see while showcasing how people can help resolve trash-related issues in the community, like Teaberry Road.

“We need to work together, help our neighbor,” he said.

He said a lady three or four years ago told him she never saw how much trash was in Carter County until KCCB brought attention to it, and now she sees it everywhere.

“Now they know this is not normal,” Jordan said.

KCCB’s next meeting is this evening, June 20, at 6 p.m. in the County Courthouse. Jordan said they will be participating in further discussion about the upcoming Wayfinding Grant while also updating those present on future locations for the recycling bins themselves, as well as possibly creating bumper stickers to hand out to people during events.

He said KCCB is a way for him to give back to his community with people who share his passion for it.

“I am just tickled I am part of such a wonderful group,” Jordan said. “We are blessed with wonderful people.”