ROCKINGHAM — Littering along Richmond County roads seems to have leveled off for the summer, with crews collecting the same amount in July as the previous month.
According to the monthly solid waste report, county workers and crews with the N.C. Department of Transportation picked up 4.4 tons of trash in 446 bags last month.
That’s the same weight, in 10 fewer bags, as reported in June.
The report shows that the county cleared 1.8 tons of debris in 186 bags from 16 roads, including 21 bags from Mill Road, 20 from Mizpah Road and 18 from two swipes down Airport Road.
Other bag totals include:
- 16 – Wiregrass Road, Harrington Road
- 14 – Sandhill Road, County Home Road, Lee Thee Church Road
- 9 – Hall Road, Rosalyn Road
- 8 – Church Street, Hatcher Road
- 7 – Battley Dairy Road
- 4 – Chalk Road, Eason Drive, Hannah Pickett Avenue
NCDOT crews picked up 2.8 tons in 260 bags from five roads: 98 from U.S. 220; 68 from Old Gibson Road; 37 from U.S. 74 Business; 29 from N.C. 381; and 28 from Galestown Road.
There were also 11 tires removed from three roads: four each from Mizpah and County Home roads; three from Battley Dairy Road.
July is the third month this year 11 tires have been picked up. However, that is lower compared to other months.
While this year’s July total is lower than most other months in 2022, it’s more than double the 2.14 tons picked up in July 2021.
Combined records show 3,390 bags weighing more than 40 tons have been cleaned up from local roads so far this year.
Based on county reports, nearly 60 tons of litter were picked up locally in 2021, including more than 8 tons each in October and December. More than 6,750 tons were cleaned across the state, according to NCDOT.
The July report also shows that there was one illegal dumpsite reported and investigated, two warning notices and one citation issued, and three garbage burning investigations.
