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County litter program reports 250,000 pounds removed in 2024; Ecology grants continue
Summary
Thurston County's litter program reported more than 250,000 pounds of litter removed in 2024 and outlined Department of Ecology grant funding that will total about $197,000 by the cycle's end; ramp-cleanup grants and partnerships with corrections crews, WSDOT and courts were discussed.
Thurston County presented a summary of its litter program on March 6, reporting more than 250,000 pounds of litter removed from county right-of-way and public spaces in 2024 and outlining grants and volunteer partnerships that support the work.
The presentation matters because it documents the county's reliance on state grant funding and partner labor to keep county rights-of-way clear and to manage large illegal-dump and appliance removals.
Program staff said the litter operation is staffed by two full-time workers who supervise inmate crews, court deferrals and community volunteers for pickups on county right-of-way outside city limits. Staff noted the program handles illegal-dump sites, abandoned vehicles, boats and RVs, appliances and construction debris, and coordinates with the Department of Corrections and Washington State Department of Transportation for safe operations.
Funding: staff said the county received $152,000 from the Washington State Department of Ecology for the 2023'25 grant cycle, was awarded an additional $17,000 last summer and received notice of an extra $28,000 this week; staff said those sums bring the cycle total to approximately $197,000. The county also receives a smaller ramp-cleanup grant ("Grama" litter cleanup) of $16,000 for highway ramp work.
Volunteers and partners: the program uses inmate crews supervised by corrections staff, drug-court and other court-mandated service participants, community volunteers supplied with safety gear and the Department of Ecology youth-cleanup program. Staff said they will begin formalizing an adopt-a-road/adopt-a-spot program with signage and intend to expand partnerships with District Court mental-health and veterans courts.
Ending note: staff launched a new web page describing volunteer options and said interested residents, neighborhood groups or businesses can contact the program to obtain safety equipment and have collected bags picked up by county crews.
