Join The Great American Cleanup In April

Dear Editor:

Spring is finally here and the weather is inviting to be outdoors.  I would like all my Rockland County neighbors to join me outside.   The snow is gone but the trash remains.  It is time for the Great American Cleanup and everyone should do their part.  Please go outside and start with your own property.  Pick up any trash that has blown onto your property but don’t stop there.    Take a walk around your neighborhood and bring a trash bag with you.  The exercise is good for you and the cleanup is great for the environment.   

Don’t forget to put a trash bag in your car.  Please, please don’t through trash out of your car window.  If you are a smoker, put an ash tray in your car (if you don’t have one built in) and use it.  Cigarette butts are TRASH.  I know that apple cores, orange and banana peels are bio-degradable but trash brings on more trash.  Put them in the trash bag in your car and empty it when you get home. 

When putting out your recycling, use the lids for the containers.  Strong winds can spread your recyclables all over the street and into our waterways.  Remember to use your trash cans.  Animals will tear open plastic bags left out at the curb.

Return all shopping carts to the appropriate store.  No one wants to see them left on street corners.

Check your towns schedule for bulk pickup dates.  No bulk trash should be out at the curb until the night before the pickup date.

Lastly, Keep Rockland Beautiful is coordinating the Great American Cleanup.  There will be community cleanups all over Rockland County.   You can join me for the Nanuet Community Cleanup on April, 13^th from 9am to 2pm at the Stop and Shop on Middletown Road in Nanuet.  If you want to do your own cleanup;  you can register your cleanup and results on line at www.keeprocklandbeautiful.org. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to help their community, especially students that need to complete volunteer service hours.  It is a fabulous way to spend time as a family and to teach your children the importance of taking care of their environment.   Instead of going to the gym, come outside for some exercise and fresh air.   If you can’t join us then please let us know that you support our efforts by beeping you horn and wave as you drive by the volunteers.

Sincerely,
Donna Drygas
Keep Rockland Beautiful
Nanuet Community Cleanup Coordinator