As far as the eye can see. Bagged trash flows into the distance along KY 78 as a result of last weekend¿s Cash For Trash Program. Volunteers spread out across 100-miles of county roads last weekend to pick up trash. (Photo by Michael Broihier)
By Michael Broihier
Last week’s roadside cleanup by crews supporting the county’s Cash For Trash program was a visible sign of efforts underway to clear litter from the county, but Lincoln-Garrard Solid Waste Manager Chris Thomason said that there is much more at work behind the scenes and the first place many taxpayers may find the results is in their wallets; well, at least in the county’s wallet.
There is no shortage of trash in the county, last weekend volunteers from 20 groups pitched in to beautify the county’s roadsides and raise money for their organizations. Each group was each assigned to collect trash along a five mile stretch of road and, in turn, were paid $100 a mile.
At some places along KY 78 between Stanford and Hustonville, there were full trash bags every fifty feet. Thomason said, “We assign roads based on need, and (KY) 78 was one of ones that needed it the most.”
In addition to the obvious fund-raising aspect of the cleanup operation, Thomason said that Cash For Trash is an educational experience as well. “There were a lot of kids involved, and for them it is an eye opening experience. If you’ve picked up a roadside you’ll never litter again,” he said.
Thomason gives credit for the perennial success of Cash For Trash to June Bastin, of Stanford, who started the program when she ran Lincoln’s recycling center. Thomason said that Bastin secured funds through a state litter abatement grant to pay groups to pick roadside trash as a way to raise money for their organizations.
Beyond the annual roadside trash pickup, there is more work being done to reduce trash along the highways and in the county’s landfill. As the Lincoln-Garrard Solid Waste District completed its first year as a two- county effort, the numbers, both in terms of waste recovered and money saved, look good.
Thomason said that in 2010, the center processed 806 tons of solid waste, a 16 ton increase over 2009. Thomason points out that that increase was realized with pickup points around the county operating only in the month of December. He anticipates an even larger increase next year as residents begin to use the pickup points in operation across the county.
Combining the solid waste collection and processing with Garrard has paid off in other ways as well. With more cardboard, paper, aluminum and plastic to sell, the recycling center could command a better price for its product. “We’ve found a much better market for our recyclables because of the increased volume due to the counties combining,” he said.
In 2010, Thomason estimates that the combined operation saved the county taxpayers $35,000. This year, it should be even more. “We anticipate only needing $50,000 from the general fund this year for solid waste management. In previous years it cost well over $100,000,” Thomason said. If more people recycle and the market for recycled material stays high, it could actually turn into a money maker for the county. “We’re well on the way to, sometime in the near future, being self-sustaining on grants and our recycling,” he said.
Despite the increased opportunity to legally and ecologically dispose of trash, many still choose to do so illegally, and for those, the net is closing. “We’re on the hunt for illegal dumps,” Thomason said. So far the county has identified five large illegal dumps and has secured grants to clean two of them up. Thomason said that the dumps are being investigated and the county plans to be very aggressive on enforcement. “If we find your mail in illegal dumps or roadside litter, we’ll file charges,” he said.
Jailer David Gooch is supporting the cleanup efforts as well. Along with Thomason, the two have created a permanent cleanup crew on the roads picking up trash and eliminating dump sites. Inmates will be working three or four days a week on a full-time basis to keep the county clean.
For more information about solid waste recycling, call the center at (606) 365-9779.
Last week’s roadside cleanup by crews supporting the county’s Cash For Trash program was a visible sign of efforts underway to clear litter from the county, but Lincoln-Garrard Solid Waste Manager Chris Thomason said that there is much more at work behind the scenes and the first place many taxpayers may find the results is in their wallets; well, at least in the county’s wallet.
There is no shortage of trash in the county, last weekend volunteers from 20 groups pitched in to beautify the county’s roadsides and raise money for their organizations. Each group was each assigned to collect trash along a five mile stretch of road and, in turn, were paid $100 a mile.
At some places along KY 78 between Stanford and Hustonville, there were full trash bags every fifty feet. Thomason said, “We assign roads based on need, and (KY) 78 was one of ones that needed it the most.”
In addition to the obvious fund-raising aspect of the cleanup operation, Thomason said that Cash For Trash is an educational experience as well. “There were a lot of kids involved, and for them it is an eye opening experience. If you’ve picked up a roadside you’ll never litter again,” he said.
Thomason gives credit for the perennial success of Cash For Trash to June Bastin, of Stanford, who started the program when she ran Lincoln’s recycling center. Thomason said that Bastin secured funds through a state litter abatement grant to pay groups to pick roadside trash as a way to raise money for their organizations.
Beyond the annual roadside trash pickup, there is more work being done to reduce trash along the highways and in the county’s landfill. As the Lincoln-Garrard Solid Waste District completed its first year as a two- county effort, the numbers, both in terms of waste recovered and money saved, look good.
Thomason said that in 2010, the center processed 806 tons of solid waste, a 16 ton increase over 2009. Thomason points out that that increase was realized with pickup points around the county operating only in the month of December. He anticipates an even larger increase next year as residents begin to use the pickup points in operation across the county.
Combining the solid waste collection and processing with Garrard has paid off in other ways as well. With more cardboard, paper, aluminum and plastic to sell, the recycling center could command a better price for its product. “We’ve found a much better market for our recyclables because of the increased volume due to the counties combining,” he said.
In 2010, Thomason estimates that the combined operation saved the county taxpayers $35,000. This year, it should be even more. “We anticipate only needing $50,000 from the general fund this year for solid waste management. In previous years it cost well over $100,000,” Thomason said. If more people recycle and the market for recycled material stays high, it could actually turn into a money maker for the county. “We’re well on the way to, sometime in the near future, being self-sustaining on grants and our recycling,” he said.
Despite the increased opportunity to legally and ecologically dispose of trash, many still choose to do so illegally, and for those, the net is closing. “We’re on the hunt for illegal dumps,” Thomason said. So far the county has identified five large illegal dumps and has secured grants to clean two of them up. Thomason said that the dumps are being investigated and the county plans to be very aggressive on enforcement. “If we find your mail in illegal dumps or roadside litter, we’ll file charges,” he said.
Jailer David Gooch is supporting the cleanup efforts as well. Along with Thomason, the two have created a permanent cleanup crew on the roads picking up trash and eliminating dump sites. Inmates will be working three or four days a week on a full-time basis to keep the county clean.
For more information about solid waste recycling, call the center at (606) 365-9779.
