Missouri is springing into action this month by cleaning up its trash in a statewide effort.
The Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation are teaming up in a statewide effort to clean-up the trash throughout the state during its annual “No More Trash! Bash” by helping Missouri become a litter-free state.
State Maintenence Engineer Beth Wright with the Department of Transportation says last year over 21,000 volunteers participated in the effort, and if enough people participate this year, it could be enough to save the department money from having to hire someone to pick up the trash. “If we get volunteers to help us pick up the trash then we don’t have to pay people to pick up litter,” Wright said. “It’s a large sum of money that we have to invest every year because we, as citizens, don’t always have the best habits with our trash.”
Wright says it costs Missourians millions of tax dollars every year for the Department of Transportation to pick it up. She says MoDOT spends about $5.5 million each year to remove litter and the Department of Conservation spends around $1 million each year to clean up waterways and other conservation areas throughout the state.
Trash Bash coordinator Joe Jerek with the Department of Conservation says its a simple effort to encourage Missourians to go outside and clean-up. “This is an opportunity to get outside and do some spring cleaning by simply picking up trash in your yard, in your community, in your neighborhood; local parks, and along roadsides” he said.
Wright says 128,000 bags of litter were picked up in 2012, and she’d would like to see the same turn out this year. “We’re looking for anyone that would like to get out on a nice, sunny day in April and help us make Missouri more beautiful and help protect the wildlife,” she said.
To take action and participate in the trash bash, visit www.nomoretrash.org.
AUDIO: Mary Farucci reports. (1:04)