5 for Friday

A simple pledge to reduce litter—one Friday at a time

5 for Friday is a personal pledge to pick up five pieces of litter every Friday.

There is no event schedule and no required group cleanup. Participation is simple: step outside your home, workplace, or school and pick up five items when you are able.

Small actions, done consistently, help prevent litter from spreading and keep communities cleaner.

How it works

1. Choose your spot. Pick a place you walk regularly.
2. Pick up five items. Trash and recyclable materials both count.
3. Dispose of items safely. Use your household trash and recycling containers when possible.
4. Repeat each Friday when you are able. Consistency matters, and every small effort makes a difference.

Safety tips

• Wear gloves or use a litter grabber if available.
• Do not pick up needles, broken glass, or unknown liquids.
• Use caution near roads and traffic.
• Wash your hands after handling litter.

Take the 5 for Friday pledge

I pledge to pick up five pieces of litter every Friday when I am able.

This pledge can be taken individually or as part of a family, school, business, or community group. No registration or reporting is required.

About the program

Cumberland County Solid Waste teamed up with the City of Fayetteville and the nonprofit Sustainable Sandhills to launch an anti-litter campaign called 5 for Friday.

The campaign encourages individuals, schools, businesses, and community groups to help reduce litter by picking up five pieces of trash or recyclable material every Friday.

Looking for organized cleanup opportunities?

If you are interested in participating in scheduled group cleanups within Cumberland County, visit the Cumberland Clean program page for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Questions about litter reduction in Cumberland County?

Please contact Cumberland County Solid Waste at 910-321-6928 or email us