Posted by bmac on May 03, 2007 at 09:20:31 (EST):
In Reply to: Re: trashing the area posted by Ken on May 03, 2007 at 07:49:45 (EST):
: : I have been doing a lot of walking in some of the local countryside and I am sickened by what I see. If I had a penny for every plastic bottle I have seen discarded along the roads I would be able to live in a very nice mansion somewhere and pay a crew to keep it clean and clear of trash!
: : Its not like these things are biodegradable. They just keep piling up. Anyone driving through or visiting the area would probably not be real impressed and that is a shame. Armstrong County actually has the potential to be a very beautiful area. I know that the state does the "adopt a highway"? thing but I don't think they have a chance at keeping up with the mess.
: : Can we use county prisoners to help clean this up? Is there a community service program that could be utilized? Or, how about just a bunch of regular volunteers getting together on a frequent basis and choosing different places to clean up? I would be willing. It could be a fun thing and a good way to get some exercise while doing something good for the communities around here. I'd even be willing to help organize something if enough people showed an interest. I also think that anyone caught littering should deffinitley be sentenced to doing clean up work on top of paying fines and court costs.
: There are all kinds of groups already in existence that do this sort of thing. Call one of them up and volunteer.
: I think another thing that would help is more of a campaign against littering in the first place. More ads against littering would cut back a lot on it. Make people actually feel guilty about it. I see it all the time. People recycle or do some other eco-friendly act at home, but then they'll whip something (like a platic bottle) out their car window.
: While we're on the subject, you've inspired me, I believe I'll post a new message.
If there are all kinds of groups doing this then we have a bigger problem than I realized. Maybe some type of county wide law enforcement sweep focusing on litterers? There are literaly tons of garbage out there. I have done some cleaning up with the adopt a highway groups and on my own, but we are definitely not keeping up with the jerks who are throwing the stuff out there. I know I said "no name calling" but I think they deserve it!