Snow’s Gone — Now It’s Time to Pick Up the Litter

Spring is beginning to show itself across Front Royal. The days are longer. Green shoots are pushing through the soil. After a long winter, many residents are ready to step outside and shake off the cabin fever.

But as the snow melts, something else appears.

Litter.

Plastic bottles, fast-food wrappers, aluminum cans, and stray paper have surfaced along roadsides, sidewalks, and stream banks. With vegetation still low and mowers not yet in action, early spring is one of the easiest times of year to spot — and remove — trash that built up over the winter months.

R-MA students gather with gloves and trash bags, ready to head out on litter patrol as part of a community spring cleanup effort.

“Early spring really is the sweet spot,” said Justin Proctor of the Front Royal/Warren County Anti-Litter Council. “The vegetation is still low, so you can actually see the litter, and the mowing hasn’t started yet. It’s the easiest time of year to make a big impact.”

Proctor says the responsibility belongs to everyone.

“There’s no magical crew coming to clean it up for us,” he said. “It’s on all of us. And the good news is, when this community shows up, we get things done.”

Front Royal and Warren County residents have long taken pride in the area’s forests, mountains, rivers, and wildlife. Keeping litter off the landscape — and out of local watersheds — helps protect the rural character that draws people to the region.

Another group of local students shows their enthusiasm for helping keep the community clean during a recent litter cleanup effort.

Proctor points to another simple truth: litter attracts more litter.

“When an area looks neglected, people treat it that way,” he said. “But when it’s clean, it sends a message that we care — and that raises the bar for everyone.”

While some littering is careless, much of it happens unintentionally. A receipt blows from a car. A gust of wind lifts trash from a can. A bin tips over before pickup day.

“Not all litter is intentional,” Proctor said. “It happens. What matters is what we do next.”

Picking up litter can be as simple as bringing a bag along on a daily walk. It can also become a group effort, offering neighbors a chance to connect while improving shared spaces.

“We live in one of the most beautiful places in Virginia,” Proctor added. “Keeping it clean isn’t just about appearance — it’s about protecting our rivers, our wildlife, and the rural character that makes this home.”

To support cleanup efforts, the Town of Front Royal and the Anti-Litter Council are offering free supplies, including trash bags, grabbers, and gloves. Residents can clean up on their own or organize larger volunteer efforts.

“If you’ve been looking for a reason to get outside or connect with neighbors, this is it,” Proctor said. “Grab a bag, take a walk, and make a difference.”

One bag at a time…

For supplies or more information, residents may contact:

Justin Proctor, Anti-Litter Council, at c.justin.proctor@gmail.com
Karen Williams, Town of Front Royal, at kwilliams@frontroyalva.com

With spring arriving, organizers say there’s no better time to give the community a fresh start — one bag at a time.