ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County government is looking for volunteers to help clean up the area.
Assistant Public Works Director Brian Legget said Thursday that the county is planning to participate in the state’s bi-annual Litter Sweep drive this month, from Sept. 14-28.
The N.C. Department of Transportation holds events in April and September to clean roadways across the state.
Volunteers are provided cleanup supplies, such as reversible orange/blue trash bags, gloves, and orange safety vests, according to NCDOT.
Sign-up forms are available at the Richmond County Administration building.
The county has had an ongoing problem with roadside garbage and illegal dumping for years.
County Manager Bryan Land reported that the solid waste staff picked up 692 bags of garbage in July, with a combined weight of 7 tons.
That’s an increase from June when the county collected 564 bags of trash — which equals out to about five tons — and removed 47 tires along 24 roadways.
There has been an increase in grassroots efforts of local residents to join the effort to clean up the roadways.
Volunteers from Toward Zero Waste Richmond County collected four bags of roadside trash along Chalk and Freeman Mill roads in late June.
“I sincerely appreciate the efforts by the numerous citizens that are doing their part to make Richmond County a cleaner place to live,” said Land.
He also reminded county residents interested in having their organization adopt a roadway to contact Leggett at 910-997-8338.
“We’d love to have your assistance,” said Land.
