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Missourians are being asked to pick up trash during April and to spread the word that littering is bad. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more…
The Missouri Departments of Conservation and Transportation are working together to cut down on trash.They’re hosting the 2010 Trash Bash throughout the month of April. Missourians are encouraged to pick up trash, educate others about litter, conduct litter-free activities and encourage friends and family to participate.Joe Jerek, with the Missouri Department of Conservation, is Trash Bash coordinator...
"It's really an opportunity for all Missourians to rally together and help clean up our beautiful state."
Not only is trash unsightly on the side of roads, along trails and in rivers and lakes, it can also create problems for humans and animals…
"Litter costs Missourians millions of tax dollars each year. For example, the Missouri Department of Transportation spends about $5 million a year on picking up litter. The Department of Conservation spends about a million dollars a year on picking up litter from conservation areas, offices and other lands that we own or manage, so it costs taxpayers a lot of money. It also just really harms our environment and harms animals, you know, birds and fish and turtles and other animals get tangled in litter--plastic 6-pack holders, fishing line, and it causes oftentimes a slow and agonizing death."
Individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities can sign up for the 2010 Trash Bash, which is part of MODOT’s No MOre Trash! litter-prevention campaign. Jerek says they got a lot of participation last year, and they hope even more people will take part this year…
"Last year we had more than 830 groups and really over 10,000 individuals volunteer to pick up trash. That resulted in more than 111,000 bags of trash collected throughout Missouri."
Once individuals or groups complete their activities, they’re asked to let MODOT and MDC know about them by filling out a report card. Those are available at MODOT and MDC offices across the state and online. No MOre Trash! garbage bags are available for those who need them for their litter pickups. All participants will receive commemorative 2010 Trash Bash lapel pins. For more information, call 888-ASK-MODOT or visit nomoretrash.org.