ROCKINGHAM — County and state workers cleaned more than 23 tons of garbage from local roads in the first three months of 2024.
According to recent reports, 12.62 tons of trash were collected in February — the most of any single month in recent years — and 7.85 tons were picked up in March through efforts of the Richmond County Solid Waste Department and N.C. Department of Transportation.
The total for February included 4.79 tons collected by the county and 7.83 tons by NCDOT; March’s total was 4.76 tons and 3.09 tons, respectively.
The February report notes that 438 bags were picked up on 24 roads, with 70 bags from Mill Road, 56 from Airport Road and 44 from Lee Thee Church Road.
County workers also removed two tires each from McGirt and Freeman Mill roads; as well as a total of five mattresses and a “a load of miscellaneous trash” from Old Cheraw Highway, N.C. 381, Guardian Way and Mary Wall and Harrington roads.
There were four illegal dumpsites reported and investigated, one warning notice issued, and one garbage burning investigation.
The March report indicates 73 bags were collected on Airport Road, accounting for 16.6% of the 438 bags from 24 roads.
In addition, crews removed:
- Two mattresses and a pallet from Haywood Cemetery Road
- A mattress from Old Cheraw Highway
- Vinyl siding from Richmond Road Extension
- A couch from Beaverdam Church Road
There was also one illegal dumpsite reported and investigated, one garbage burning investigation, and one citation issued.
Combined with the 2.9 tons of litter collected in January, the year’s total currently stands at 23.85 tons — more than a quarter of the 82.32 tons picked up in 2023.
Click here to read about the 2023 totals.
The county will be participating in NCDOT’s annual Spring Litter Sweep April 22-29, County Manager Bryan Land told the Richmond County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to call 910-997-8215 to sign up and for supplies.
Last year’s event had nearly 100 volunteers picking up more than 100 bags weighing around 1,250 pounds, Land said.
The county’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Day is scheduled for 9a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the Human Services Complex on Caroline Street, according to Land.
“At this event, we accept all those items that typically aren’t accepted at our local box sites throughout Richmond County,” Land said.
Those items include: latex and oil-based paints; household cleaners; batteries and fluorescent lights.
County records show that 3.5-6 tons of hazardous waste are collected each year. The county had a record-setting 11.28 tons dropped off in 2022.
