Roadways and highways covered in litter, such as cigarette butts, fast food wrappers, soda cans, coffee cups and more, are not an attractive sight. Litter is more than ugly; it is harmful to our waterways, which include lakes, rivers and beaches. It is also harmful to aquatic plant and animal life.
Many people do not realize that litter and pollution from our roadways and highways can wind up in our storm drains. Storm drains are meant to transport only clean rainwater from the roads. Litter and debris that end up in storm drains flow directly into waterways, which means they become more and more polluted with each piece of litter that is tossed onto the ground.
Here’s what you can do to help PREVENT litter in your community:
- Set an example for others, especially co-workers, friends and children, by using trash receptacles for litter disposal.
- Carry a litterbag and a portable ashtray in your car.
- If you smoke, carry and use a portable or pocket ashtray. Cigarette butts should never be thrown on the ground because they do not decompose.
- Make sure your trash containers are completely closed. Otherwise, trash will blow out of the containers when lifted by the automatic sanitation truck mechanisms.
- Order a free recycle cap for recycling bins to keep recyclables in the container and dry on windy and rainy days. Recycle caps may be ordered by calling the 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 or by requesting them online.
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