Sep 25, 2016 3 min read

Not too many years ago, illegal roadside dumps were a real problem in many rural areas of Greene County.

An article published in this newspaper April 14, 2006, for example, spoke of the recent cleanup of five illegal dumps as part of an effort organized by the Greene County Conservation District, local municipalities and volunteers.

One dump on King Hill Road in Wayne Township, the story said, had been in existence more than 25 years and contained all the items normally found in illegal roadside dumps, including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, tires, car parts and household trash.

At that time, state grant money was available for these cleanup programs, municipalities provided the grant match with funds or labor and volunteers were organized, all in the effort to rid the countryside of these eyesores and minor sources of pollution.

It has been years since this newspaper has reported on any organized efforts to clean up roadside dumps. We believe if there were efforts, we would hear about it – a grant would be announced, a local group would submit a picture of volunteers hoisting tires into a Dumpster.

No doubt roadside dumps still exist, though we know of no recent surveys on the extent of the problem. Not hearing about them, we assume they are not as much of a problem as they were in the past.

In April, Greene County officials and state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, announced an electronic recycling program each quarter at the Greene County Fairgrounds, the last one of which will be held Dec. 14.

“We get calls all the time from people asking where they can recycle their electronics,” Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said in April. “It’s very difficult to find somewhere to take them.”

State law requires the recycling of certain electronic devices, but many stores and charities that once accepted them ended the practice because of costs. That’s why these local and county cleanup days have become so critical.

Commissioner Dave Coder said when the program started that he hoped it would help residents get rid of their unwanted electronic items, while also benefiting the environment.

“This should prevent littering along our roads,” he said at the time.

It seems to be working.

We also believe efforts have been taken to address the issue that might be bearing fruit, including recycling programs and the annual cleanup day events held by local municipalities. About a dozen municipalities throughout the county have recyclable collection trailers as part of the recycling program now offered by Greene County and Greene Arc Inc.

In the past two weeks, this newspaper has received a slew of notices from municipalities about their clean up days. At most of these events, residents are asked to bring their unwanted items to the municipal building for appropriate disposal.

Cumberland Township just held theirs over the weekend, which by all accounts appeared to be a rousing success. Meanwhile, many others are planned over the next few weeks.

We encourage residents to take advantage of these programs and contact their local municipality to get the details. In regard to the county’s recycling program, more information is available on the county website, www.co.greene.pa.us.