Earth Day is every day

There are about 23 groups in Amherst that do cleanups of parks, roads, trails, ponds, bike paths and byways at least three times a year. Although Earth Day is the first day of spring, March 21, here in Amherst it is celebrated throughout the year. Lots of these groups have individuals who monitor their assigned area almost on a daily basis because they live near the site.

Many of us are so used to picking up litter that we don't think twice about it. Individual walkers may carry bags with them to pick up litter, cans, bottles and food wrappers. Dog walkers, who are used to picking up after their pets, frequently also pick up litter. We are sensitized to anything marring the landscape. However, there are still lots of cigarette butts in the roadways. People don't like the residual smell in their cars so they throw the butts out the car windows or empty the car ashtrays on the shoulders of the roadways. This is unfortunate for the landscape.

Some of the "choice" items littering ponds and ditches are broken chairs, tires, discarded plastic floats, broken trash cans, books and toys. The participating groups include environmental groups, Explorers, high schools, homeowners' groups, League of Women Voters Amherst Unit, Masonic lodges, Rotary groups, Scouts, town committees and a multitude of other volunteers,

During the Great American Cleanup, 471 individuals collected 240 bags of garbage. The program increases yearly in popularity as others find out about it and wish to do something for the town. These efforts keep town cleanup costs down, and our membership in the Keep Western New York Beautiful Program supplies us with the items needed for cleanups.

Valerie Moliterno

Education Chair Solid Waste Committee