Monterey County task force marks Earth Day with litter cleanup and Clean California recognition

Monterey County’s litter-abatement and illegal-dumping task force spent Earth Day conducting a lunchtime cleanup on the walking path near Los Padres's Elementary School in Selenus, task force members said.

The task force, which is made up of county staff, representatives from local cities and waste haulers, holds quarterly field cleanups rather than meeting in a boardroom, members said. The events are intended both to remove litter and to raise awareness and encourage residents to prevent illegal dumping.

Task force participants said Monterey County has been designated a Clean California community, a state-backed program sponsored by Caltrans and the governor’s office that recognizes local efforts to beautify public spaces. Members said the designation reflects long-running work to reduce illegal dumping countywide.

Speakers urged residents to use existing disposal services instead of dumping. They listed local options including Johnson Canyon Landfill, the Hone Road Transfer Station in King City, a transfer station in Selenus, and the household hazardous waste facility that accepts paints, batteries and chemicals. Task force members said many landfills and transfer stations accept bulky items such as mattresses and computers for free and that most haulers include curbside bulky-item collection as part of service.

Members also highlighted other community cleanups: the Monterey County Health Department’s annual cleanup at Car Lake will run Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon with supplies and refreshments, they said.

The task force closed its segment by encouraging county residents to take advantage of local disposal options and to join community cleanups throughout the county.