Columbus Crews Clean 46.5 Tons of Litter and Debris, 28 Tons of Bulk Trash From Roadsides During Spring Concentrated Litter Cleanup
For Immediate Release
May 5, 2014
For More Information:
Rick Tilton, Department of Public Service, 645-7263
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Department of Public Service crews cleaned 46.5 tons of litter and debris, 28 tons of bulk items, and other trash from roadsides and elsewhere in the public right-of-way during their annual concentrated spring litter cleanup from April 14 through May 2. Crews cleaned litter and debris at 119 locations citywide.
“I am proud of the all the hard work by City of Columbus employees to clean our roadsides citywide,” said Mayor Coleman. “But we need everyone to continue to help Columbus become a cleaner and greener city by properly disposing of trash and picking up the litter left by others. When you see litter, pick it up.”
The 28 tons of bulk items included building and construction debris, washing machines, pieces of motor vehicles and other bulk items. In addition to the 46.5 tons of litter and debris and 28 tons of bulk items, crews also removed 984 advertising signs from utility poles and cleaned 239 vehicle tires from the public right-of-way. Between 2008 and 2013, Department of Public Service crews cleaned a total of 239 tons of litter from Columbus roadsides during their annual spring concentrated litter cleanups, including 43 tons of litter and 19 tons of bulk items during their 2013 effort.
“Our hardworking Department of Public Service crews keep our streets safe and clean throughout the year,” said Councilmember Michelle Mills, chair of the Environment Committee. “We’re grateful not only to them, but also to the many volunteers who work so hard to keep our community beautiful.”
The city employees conducted the intensified litter cleanup are the same employees who serve as Columbus’ Snow Warriors and pothole repair crews. In addition, these employees also sweep streets, cut grass and remove graffiti in the public right-of-way and clean city of Columbus bridge underpasses.
The City of Columbus also attacks litter with the Department of Public Service’s Keep Columbus Beautiful program. KCB works with neighborhood, business, church and other groups to clean litter in Columbus between March and November of each year. The groups are responsible for recruiting volunteers for the cleanups; KCB provides trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers, rakes and other equipment for the cleanups. In 2013, 8,839 volunteers cleaned 172 tons of litter and debris in Columbus. Neighborhood groups who want to organize cleanups and work with KCB should call 645-3111.
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