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Litter control
What prompts the litterbug’s dirty deeds? Perhaps, he suffers some chemical imbalance or some swollen lobe in his brain — sometimes blamed for other criminal behavior. Perhaps, he’s really a “neat freak” who can tolerate no trash in his vehicle and thus quickly disposes of his empty cans and candy bar wrappers by tossing them out the window.
Whatever makes him do it, the litterbug was busy this winter. Local roads bear the scars of his wanton slobbishness. We take more notice of Mother Nature in spring, and we can’t help but notice how tattered she is in places because of litter.
The illness exacts a hefty price from all of us. The Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, for example, devoted $2.85 million and 340,143 manhours to collection of roadside litter in 1984-85. In Rappahannock, the department expended $17,548 and 2,908 manhours on the problem. Imagine what could be accomplished if that time and money were instead devoted to patching pot holes and grading washboard roads.
Until we cure the litterbug, perhaps we can best apply our energies to righting his wrongs. That’s what Spring Cleanup Week, April 19-26, attempts. Rappahannock volunteers will take to the roads this weekend to collect litter. Many of those involved give their time and energies to the project every year. They battle to restore the status quo — a clean countryside.
For its part, the county pro videa'free garbage bags to volunteers, who plan specific efforts m several local . communities and neighborhoods.
You can help by giving your time and bending your knees a bit. And, if you make no other contribution, don’t litter.
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