ROCKINGHAM — More than 7 tons of litter were picked up from Richmond County roadsides during the first month of 2022.
A combined effort between the county and N.C. Department of Transportation netted 525 bags of trash from 24 roads weighing 7.4 tons, according to the January solid waste report.
Of the 18 roads cleaned by county workers, the most litter was on Sandhill Road, resulting in 62 bags. Garbage was also picked up four times on Airport Road, with collections totalling 21 bags.
Other road/bag totals include:
The report shows NCDOT picked up 69 bags on U.S. 220, 58 on U.S. 74 Business and 16 on Oak Ridge Church Road. Working together, the county and state collected a total of 131 bags from two sections of U.S. 1.
Crews also found 34 tires during clean-up efforts: six on U.S. 1 N; four each on County Home, Hall, Lee Thee Church, Mizpah and Oak Ridge Church roads; three on U.S. 1 S and Hannah Pickett Avenue; and two on Airport Road.
The report shows that there were also two illegal dump sites reported and investigated, two warning notices issued, one citation issued, and one garbage burning investigation.
The Solid Waste Department was notified Wednesday of another possible dump site at the end of Grace Chapel Church Road, southeast of Hamlet, where it appears someone dumped debris after cleaning out a home. Garbage in one pile included several jugs and trash bags and a ceiling fan.
Nearly 60 tons of litter were picked up in 2021, including more than 8 tons each in October and December. October’s total of 8.5 tons was the most of any month last year and more than the Earth Day effort and May amount combined.
The county’s roadside garbage totals do not include individual or group volunteer efforts.
Excessive littering isn’t limited to Richmond County.
NCDOT reported that 13 million pounds (6,500 tons) last year — “a record the department never wanted to break.”
County Manager Bryan Land, who includes abbreviated solid waste statistics in his monthly report, said Tuesday evening that the county would be participating in NCDOT’s Spring Litter Sweep April 18-22.
Any individuals or businesses who are interested in helping are encouraged to call 910-997-8215 to sign up.
Land also said that the household hazardous waste collection day is slated for April 9, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Human Services Complex on Caroline Street.
Residents are encouraged to bring items that aren’t accepted at the landfill or convenience sites including latex and oil-based paints, household cleaners, batteries and fluorescent lights.
