Roadside trash around Front Royal

Every day we decide to do the right thing or the wrong thing.  Broccoli or fries?  Overspend or save?  Usually, we are the sole beneficiaries – or victims – of our own decisions.  However, some decisions affect our fellow citizens and the environment in which we live.  Today I am writing about one of those: the decision to dispose of trash properly or let it litter our roads for all to see.

We live in a unique area.  Visitors come great distances to enjoy our majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, and rolling farmlands. Why do some people choose to spoil the gem that is ours to cherish?  What’s so hard about proper trash disposal?  Roadside trash is a blight on the beauty of our surroundings and a public embarrassment.

Recently I worked with members of the Front Royal/Warren County Anti-Litter Council (https://warrencountyva.gov/anti-litter-council) to clean up a section of Remount Road.  I have done this multiple times over the past several years.  Even though there are many other things I would prefer to do with my time, I can’t stand to see our beautiful roadsides “trashed.”

Who thinks throwing trash out of car windows is a good idea or letting it fly, unsecured, from their truck beds?  Who thinks a tire belongs in Happy Creek?  Much of what we pick up is from repeat offenders.  Certain soda, beer, wine, and hard liquor brands are regulars along our stretch.  We find hamburger sacks, plastic meal cartons, Styrofoam coolers, construction debris, empty boxes, bags full of miscellaneous trash, and car parts.  These items have no place along our roads.  They belong in our landfill.

Sadly, even one short day after our efforts, we will see more trash on the road again.  Think about it.  We could enjoy the unblemished beauty of our area year-round if everyone decided to do the right thing and disposed of the trash properly.

Karen Hendershot
Front Royal