Trash/Litter

Not only does stormwater traveling through the storm sewers and grassed ditches receive no treatment, it also often does not even have the benefit of simple filtering or screening for trash and foreign debris. As a result, paper cups, soda cans, cigarette butts, fast food wrappers and virtually anything made of Styrofoam, newspaper, and other materials that people toss on the ground eventually makes their way into our streams, rivers and lakes. In a time when municipalities are enforcing littering penalties and recycling programs, trash accumulating on the shores of our water bodies is still a problem. This pollution effects aquatic life, increases the cost of treating our drinking water, and downgrades our tourism and recreational opportunities. 


Littering can be prevented by adopting the following suggestions:

• Dispose of all trash and waste in a concealed trash bin. Use dumpsters that include a lid that can be securely sealed. After each use make sure the lid is fastened tightly to prevent waste from blowing around. 
• Dispose of your cigarette butts in an ash tray or fire proof butt container rather than flicking out of your moving vehicle. Demand that your employer provide a container in an area that people typically smoke around. Since the butts are made out of plastic materials and contain toxic materials inside the filter, they often take many years to decompose.
• Keep a small trash bin in the backseat of your car.
• Pick up trash and litter around your home and neighborhood. Even though you may not have been responsible for improperly disposing of your trash, other peoples trash may blow around and land on your property.
• Participate or organize a neighborhood clean up event. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and maintain the value of your community.
• Participate in an Adopt-A-Highway program. The programs rely on citizens, organizations and schools to monitor and clean up trash and litter going into the environment. For more information click Adopt a Highway.