The snow has finally melted and litter left behind on roadsides is becoming obvious. But there is something we can all do about it! You can volunteer for the Solid Waste District’s third annual litter cleanup event on May 3, and we want to share a few things residents can do at home to prevent litter from happening.
Recycling drivers from Able Disposal have the responsibility to close the tops of their trucks as they are driving between stops, but sometimes the wind catches items as they are emptied into the truck. Even though it is not required, you can bag your recyclables in trash bags to put inside your recycling bins. This winter, lots of bins were knocked over and their contents scattered due to wind and snow. Especially in open areas, bagging recyclables is important to prevent that from happening. Also, please don’t overfill your recycling bin. You can bag extra items and put them next to your bin.
Plastic shopping bags are lightweight and tend to fly easily out of bins and collection trucks. If you aren’t going to reuse them or take them back to an area grocery store for recycling, please make sure to bundle them all together or put other plastic items inside to weigh them down.
If you want to help clean up litter, mark your calendars for May 3. Nearly 20 groups have already signed up to be a part of La Porte County Community Cleanup Day, which will be held from 9 am to noon that day. You simply choose a site to clean and we’ll make sure you have enough trash bags, bottled water and snacks for your volunteers. After you’re done, you’ll be invited to a simple thank you luncheon in Michigan City or La Porte. To sign up, contact me at (219) 326-0014 or email aebaugh@solidwastedistrict.com.
We are very happy that many La Porte County residents recycle on a regular basis, and it’s our job to make it convenient for you. Thank you for participating – it’s everyone’s responsibility to cut down on waste!