Thomas County targets litterbugs

Official: Uncovered vehicles are state’s top source of litter.

THOMASVILLE — Thomas County is known for Southern charm and beauty, but litter is taking over streets, roads and waterways, says a Thomas County government code enforcement officer.

“The litter didn’t get there on its own,” said Officer Pat Smith. “It’s an embarrassment, it’s disgusting and it degrades our communities.”

Litter is illegal, costly to remove and impacts personal health and safety, as well as economic health, and eventually ends up in waterways and oceans, Smith said.

She said a majority of people identify litter as a major environmental problem, “but they still litter.” Littering, Smith said, can be easily controlled by thoughts and actions.

Uncovered vehicles are the No. 1 source of roadside litter in Georgia, and those uncovered vehicles carrying unsecured loads can dump litter on the roads every day, Smith pointed out.

“We’ve all seen trash blowing from garbage trucks, as well as private pickup trucks,” she said. “Truck owners often use their truck beds as mobile trash cans.”

Commercial vehicles hauling unsecured construction debris and other items also contribute to the problem.

Smith said drivers should not rely on the weight of items to keep them in a truck bed. Bumps, turns and sudden stops can dislodge even heavy items such as furniture and other large items, she added.

The operator of any vehicle from which debris is thrown, deposited or dropped is in violation of litter control laws — a law all Georgia law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce.

Keep Thomas County Beautiful implements community-level improvement projects that include litter cleanups, said Executive Director Julie Murphree.

“Local volunteers provide manpower and, in the process, develop a renewed sense of pride in their community,” Murphree said.

According to Smith, the Georgia Department of Transportation spends $14 million annually cleaning up litter. In Thomas County, more than $115,000 is spent each year on labor alone to remove litter.