Elk County Illegal Dumpsite Cleaned Up By Dedicated Volunteers

On November 20, five dedicated volunteers and a Ridgway Township crew braved frigid temperatures and snowy weather conditions to eradicate an illegal dumpsite along Meadowbrook Road in Ridgway Township, Elk County.

 

The volunteers donated a total of 27.5 volunteer hours towards the cleanup, which successfully resulted in the removal and proper disposal of 2.97 tons of trash and tires. In addition, 2.4 tons of scrap metal were recycled. Ridgway Township donated equipment and operators for the cleanup in addition to hauling scrap metal.

 

The cleanup was a partnership between PA CleanWays and PA CleanWays of Elk County, and was funded by the Utilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

Articles illegally dumped in the area included tires, drums, clothing, construction and demolition materials, paint cans, numerous vehicle parts, scrap metal, household trash, bicycles, pool parts, a swing set, and an entire trampoline frame.

 

The trash and tires not only offer prime breeding sites for mosquitoes and ticks, potential carriers of West Nile virus and Lyme’s disease, but also threaten the overall quality of the Elk Creek Watershed, decreases neighboring property values, and can injure people and wildlife.

 

In an effort to abate future dumping, PA CleanWays hopes to secure an adopter for the area through their Adoption Program.

 

For more information, visit the PA CleanWays Adoption Program webpage or call 1-877-772-3673.