Bristol Township government and residents are making strides in tackling litter, with two recent cleanup efforts being hailed as successes.
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Council Member Marcia Dunlap reported last month that the first cleanup targeted Beaver Dam Road, running from Route 13 to Green Lane and extending into the Bloomsdale-Fleetwing neighborhood. The second cleanup focused on Route 13 in Croydon, stretching from the Dog and Bull Brew and Music House to the Bowlero Bristol Bowling Alley.
Council President Craig Bowen noted that volunteers collected 80 bags of trash along the Route 13 section in Croydon.
Township officials met with Amtrak and committed to clean up the area between the Route 13 fence and Northeast Corridor tracks, said Bowen.
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Dunlap stated that Bristol Township is firmly on Amtrak’s radar as they concentrate on cleaning up the area.
“They were there and they promised to clean up,” said Bowen.
Members of the council commended Dunlap for her dedicated efforts to enhance the township’s cleanliness.
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A 2020 study released by the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful revealed that Pennsylvania roadways are littered with more than 500 million pieces of trash. Of the total, 186.2 million (37.1 percent) pieces were cigarette butts, followed by 152.9 million (30.4 percent) pieces of plastic. Plastic film is the most prevalent type of plastic litter on Pennsylvania roadways, followed by plastic beverage containers.
More than 90 percent of survey respondents reported that litter is a significant problem in the state.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has 11 ways to be anti-litter:
1. Keep a reusable bag in your car for your food wrappers, carryout containers, or other trash, and throw it out at home. Car windows should be for cool breezes only.
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2. Live the reduce-reuse-recycle lifestyle. It’s a thing. Ask for less packaging. Shun single-use plastics. Make items last for as long as possible, buy used whenever possible—and claim the bragging rights. Recycle right! Check the website of your city, township, or borough to find out what items you can and can’t recycle.
3. Cover your trash and recycling bins when you take them to the curb. If you sweep the sidewalk in front of your home, don’t sweep the litter into the street. It won’t be picked up. Bag it and throw it in a trash can.
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4. Any time you haul junk in the back of a truck, cover it. Uncovered trucks are one of the top three sources of litter on Pennsylvania roads, along with drivers and pedestrians.
5. Leave no trace in Pennsylvania’s parks and forests. Carry out what you carried in. It’s a small price to pay for our beautiful—and free–parks. Learn the Leave No Trace code.
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6. If you are a smoker, keep a container in your car and pocket for cigarette butts. Cigarette butts aren’t natural fiber, like many people think. They contain plastic, and leach nicotine and heavy metals. And take about 5 years to break down.
7. Report illegal dump sites. It’s easy and confidential. Use this online form from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, who will share it with the authorities so that action can be taken.
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8. Check out Pennsylvania Litter Action Plan for many things that government offices, legislators, businesses, and residents can do to prevent littering. Then call your state legislator; your city, township, or borough office; or your favorite local business to tell them about it. Ask what they’re doing to prevent litter and how you can join in.
9. Join a local volunteer litter cleanup event through Pick Up Pennsylvania. Free supplies are provided for PUP events March 1–May 31 and September 1–November 30. From scout troops to sportsmen associations to soccer moms, thousands of Pennsylvanians participate in this campaign, sponsored each year by DEP, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. To join an event, or start one, go to Pick Up Pennsylvania.
10. Adopt a highway. It’s easy to apply, and PennDOT provides supplies. Many businesses and organizations demonstrate commitment to their local community this way. Why not yours? Sign up at Adopt A Highway.
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11. Help your local school be litter free. If you’re a teacher, school administrator, or parent, start a Litter Free School Zone program to teach students about litter impacts and community involvement.
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