Litter Patrols Clean Up Area Roads

A hearty group of volunteers turned out on a dreary Saturday morning to help clean up plastic bags, beer cans, newspapers and an endless chain of cigarette butts from area roadways.

Much of the litter left along one stretch of Greentree Road near the railroad tunnel in Scott Township included cans and snack wrappers thrown from cars. But a couple of volunteers stumbled across a pair of glass salt and pepper shakers tangled in the weeds.

“What in the world?” said Jane Sorcan, a member of the Scott Conservancy, which organized the cleanup effort in Scott. “It really makes you wonder what people are thinking.”

Many of the plastic bags and other soggy debris had become intertwined with the weeds and soil. Other trash clogged storm grates that allow rainwater to flow off the road.

Despite the dreary weather, , picking up trash that accumulated along various roads and in parks. Some residents living at Providence Point worked Friday afternoon to beautify Kane Boulevard.

“They knew it was supposed to rain today, but they still wanted to help,” Sorcan said.

The Scott Conservancy began organizing the cleanup about five years ago after finishing extensive work to remove trash from the Whiskey Trail area. Bob Gamble, a member of the Conservancy, said the work is especially needed at “hot spots” near busy intersection where people throw trash out of their cars.

“You really notice it in these hot areas when you get a good crowd to clean it up,” Gamble said.

Heidelberg postponed its cleanup Saturday because of concerns about the weather, although officials have not decided if or when it will be rescheduled. Bridgeville plans to hold its cleanup day on April 30.