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Department of Ecology News Release - July 16, 2009
09-168
OLYMPIA – Middle and high-school-age youths are back on Washington roadsides to clean up litter tossed by motorists.
Statewide, 200 teens are removing litter from freeway shoulders and interchanges. The Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) will perform about 40 percent fewer hours of cleanup compared to 2008, due to a $4.5 million reduction to the state’s 2009-11 budget for litter prevention and cleanup.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), which operates the litter cleanup program, urges motorists to use extra caution when they see the orange “Ecology Youth Working” signs along state highways.
“Safety is our number one priority,” said Ariona, who coordinates the EYC in Ecology’s twelve-county southwest region. “We work hard to keep them safe and every driver needs to stay alert when passing a litter crew. We’re very proud of the work our youth do to help keep our environment clean.”
The young people receive $8.55 per hour. A litter tax is levied on various manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers throughout Washington state, on items that contribute to the litter problem. This tax supports most of Washington’s litter-control efforts.
Last year, the EYC collected more than 1.1 million pounds of litter from roadsides and medians across the state, with nearly 368,000 pounds of it collected in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Clark counties.
EYC lives up to its name as an “ecology” program through extensive recycling of items picked up on the median to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2008, the EYC recycled 10.2 tons of aluminum, 55.9 tons of scrap metal, 4.5 tons of plastic bottles and 19.1 tons of glass. This recycling offset 33,320 gallons of fuel, far more than the 23,424 gallons of fuel used by EYC in 2008.
EYC is part of an overall Ecology-coordinated effort that removes more than 6 million pounds of litter and illegally dumped materials statewide. Other participants include county and city community litter-cleanup programs and the state departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Corrections, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
With the reduction of litter cleanup funds, the Department of Transportation is encouraging groups to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program. It provides an opportunity for businesses, clubs, organizations, schools, religious groups or families to volunteer in keeping highway roadsides clean and litter-free. For more information on Adopt-a-Highway, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/operations/adoptahwy/.
“Another way the public can help is to avoid littering in the first place,” said Peter Lyon, who manages solid waste programs for Ecology’s regional office in Lacey. “Make sure your car has a trash bag and wait to toss garbage and recycling until you get home.”
Littering can draw fines up to $1,025. Fines for illegal dumping are $1,000 to $5,000 plus jail time. To report litter coming from a vehicle, call toll-free to 866-LITTER-1 (866-548-8371).
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For more information:
Ecology Youth Corps:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc/
Litter:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/litter/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
