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Litterbugs beware.
In April, a mass of Wayne County volunteers will take to the highways and byways, grabbing litter that was once so conveniently thrown out of car windows, saving an inconvenient mess, but creating quite a eyesore.
As part of “Pick It Up PA Days,” a program sponsored by PennDOT, volunteers throughout the state will hit the streets, picking up yesterday’s roadside junk.
“Unfortunately, we have enough litterbugs in PA that any street or highway could have litter,” said Ted Zurla, Wayne County PennDOT manager. “We’d never be able to keep up with our employees.”
Each year, the state transportation agency spends about $11.5 million on just removing street trash.
Beginning April 25 through May 9, PennDOT will provide gloves, vests, and garbage bags to volunteers who participate in the “Pick It Up PA Days” program, where groups, families or businesses can come together for at least one day for the effort.
The period was selected to coincide with Earth Day on April 22.
Volunteers can choose any highway, street, or public place, said Zurla, adding that the county has 720 miles of state roads.
PennDOT will then pickup the leftover, filled trash bags.
The program dovetails with the “Adopt-A-Highway” initiative, a two-year commitment to cleanup a two-mile stretch, at least four times a year, signified by the iconic blue signs placed along the road.
There are 71 groups in Wayne County participating in that initiative, who are also encouraged to take part in “Pick It Up PA Day.”
Zurla noted that there are sections of the county’s state roads that have yet to be adopted.
PennDOT is always seeking interested groups, who can select any place not adopted, he said.
PennDOT also provides garbage bags - and pick up - for “Adopt-A-Highway” volunteers.
Over the past five years, Commonwealth volunteers have removed more than 35 million pounds of trash, resulting in 69,180 miles of cleaned roads.
Last year alone, more than 140,000 volunteers collected 7.4 million pounds of trash.
In order to participate, contact the county PennDOT office at 253-3130.
On the web at: www.greatpacleanup.org
Litterbugs beware.
In April, a mass of Wayne County volunteers will take to the highways and byways, grabbing litter that was once so conveniently thrown out of car windows, saving an inconvenient mess, but creating quite a eyesore.
As part of “Pick It Up PA Days,” a program sponsored by PennDOT, volunteers throughout the state will hit the streets, picking up yesterday’s roadside junk.
“Unfortunately, we have enough litterbugs in PA that any street or highway could have litter,” said Ted Zurla, Wayne County PennDOT manager. “We’d never be able to keep up with our employees.”
Each year, the state transportation agency spends about $11.5 million on just removing street trash.
Beginning April 25 through May 9, PennDOT will provide gloves, vests, and garbage bags to volunteers who participate in the “Pick It Up PA Days” program, where groups, families or businesses can come together for at least one day for the effort.
The period was selected to coincide with Earth Day on April 22.
Volunteers can choose any highway, street, or public place, said Zurla, adding that the county has 720 miles of state roads.
PennDOT will then pickup the leftover, filled trash bags.
The program dovetails with the “Adopt-A-Highway” initiative, a two-year commitment to cleanup a two-mile stretch, at least four times a year, signified by the iconic blue signs placed along the road.
There are 71 groups in Wayne County participating in that initiative, who are also encouraged to take part in “Pick It Up PA Day.”
Zurla noted that there are sections of the county’s state roads that have yet to be adopted.
PennDOT is always seeking interested groups, who can select any place not adopted, he said.
PennDOT also provides garbage bags - and pick up - for “Adopt-A-Highway” volunteers.
Over the past five years, Commonwealth volunteers have removed more than 35 million pounds of trash, resulting in 69,180 miles of cleaned roads.
Last year alone, more than 140,000 volunteers collected 7.4 million pounds of trash.
In order to participate, contact the county PennDOT office at 253-3130.
On the web at: www.greatpacleanup.org
