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Keep Meriwether Beautiful reports 170 volunteers collected 300+ trash bags; asks board to study county convenience center
Summary
Keep Meriwether Beautiful reported that more than 170 volunteers collected over 300 bags of trash on April 25 and asked the board to consider a centrally located convenience center to reduce illegal dumping and expand recycling and tire amnesty opportunities.
Jodi Sharpe, Director of Economic Development, updated the Board on Keep Meriwether Beautiful's recent cleanup effort and urged consideration of a permanent, centrally located county convenience center to reduce illegal dumping and provide disposal options between semiannual cleanup days.
Sharpe said more than 170 volunteers participated in the April 25 cleanup and collected over 300 bags of trash from neighborhoods, roadsides and public spaces. She acknowledged support from Public Works and waste management sponsors who provided dumpsters and said illegal dumping has hampered the event because some dumpsters filled before volunteers could use them.
“A significant amount of trash throughout the county remains and while cleanup days help, the need for accessible and responsible disposal options is ongoing,” Sharpe said, recommending the county consider a convenience-center model similar to Manchester’s with options for tires, scrap metal and recyclables and the potential for revenue to offset operations.
Commissioner Bryan Threadgill said he had advocated for manned convenience stations open multiple days a week for years, suggesting they could provide part-time employment for seniors and be physically gated for security. Sharpe and commissioners acknowledged cost, staffing and siting would need study.
The Board thanked Keep Meriwether Beautiful for the volunteer effort and asked staff to consider the proposal in future budget and operations planning.
