Community and trash
Suzanne’s CORNER
In the matter of about 15 minutes at a recent seminar, we learned more than you would ever want to know about litter, commonly known as trash, in CASS COUNTY and what a mess we have on our county roads. What are you calling litter, you might ask? Well, it’s any solid waste that is “out of place”. It’s the kind of trash found on our streets, highways, county roads, lakefronts, parks and school grounds. It can be: paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, glass, food packaging, graffiti, tires and even food. This topic really started our group thinking about what we can do to clean up Cass, make it fun and rewarding to several groups…keep reading…
When you throw something out of a vehicle window do you have any idea how long it will stay on the ground before it disappears? Check this out:
Food: 2 years Cigarette butts: 5 years Plastic shopping bags: 10-20 years Plastic six-pack holders: 100 years Aluminum cans: 80-100 years Disposable diapers: 500 years (gross!) Glass bottles: 1,000,000 years Plastic bottles and Styrofoam: Indefinitely
Trash affects the health and safety of not only people but the environment. It’s not only disgusting to see garbage on the roads, but it can cause disease, fire, pollution, accidents, INCREASED TAXES, hurt the tourist trade visiting our towns, and leave an extremely negative public image.
Bet you didn’t know, or maybe you do and just need to be reminded…in Texas, it’s against the law to litter! You can be fined up to $500 for trash less than or equal to 5 pounds or 5 gallons. Repeat offenders can face up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail. Cowboys, ranchers, contractors and any pick-up truck owners please note…failing to cover your pickup-truck load is against the law and carries a fine of up to $200.
As we started putting our heads together to beautify CASS County a few suggestions began to come forth. In North Dakota, we formed teams and were assigned specific roads to pick up garbage and trash. It was amazing what our teams would come back with including one very expensive diamond ring, always wallets, loose dollar bills as well as other valuable items. Once a lady found a wallet with $700 in it! Crazy what people throw out of a window or what might slide off the back of a pickup truck! We’ll keep you informed as we develop plans in more detail. However, here’s something for YOU to think about as WE continue thinking. In the SPRING OF 2020 as the weather starts to warm up, we’ll take a Saturday and clean up CASS county roads. Start thinking about forming teams composed
of 4 or 5 (or more) athletes, FFA,
FHA, classmates, scouts, adults, garden clubs, neighbors, friends or whomever. Come in and pick up trash bags at a designated location and off you go to pre-determined designated roads. Somewhere in Cass County…like maybe Linden and Atlanta, the coordinators will plant several wallets with big $$$$$$ payoffs. Pick up trash, find a wallet and it will be very worthwhile for your team! We are planning to put together BIG payoffs.
In the mean-time please don’t litter and get ready to make Cass County beautiful!
TX DOT says, “Keep your butts in your cars!” and we say: Standby for further details!
Thank you to a very important contact:
Pearlee Wells; Marion-Cass Soil & Water Conservation District; Office: 903-756-5491 ext 5. Email: Pearlee.Wells@tx.nacdnet.net (Send her an email to get on the list)
CLEAN UP CASS COUNTY!