COLUMBUS, OH - Motorists traveling through Ohio on April 2 are asked to be extra conscious of the litter they might be tempted to throw on roadways. April 2 has been designated Motorist Awareness Day to bring awareness to the litter problem that exists in the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Motorist Awareness Day also kicks off April’s “Plant Pride, Not Litter” Month observance. “Much of the litter we see in Ohio is caused by motorists,” said Ron Kolbash, chief of the ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention. “We’re hopeful that with increased awareness motorists will take pride and be less tempted to toss their trash onto our roadways.”
A study released in 2004 by the division found that more than 11,700 tons of litter are deposited on Ohio’s roadways and interchanges each year.
During “Plant Pride, Not Litter” Month, communities and individuals are encouraged to consider participating in Ohio’s Adopt-A-Roadway Program. Through the program, groups and individuals can adopt a 2-mile stretch of roadway and commit to cleaning the roadway twice a year for two years. Last year, Ohio’s “Plant Pride, Not Litter” program was recognized as the nation’s finest litter prevention program by Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit public education organization dedicated to encouraging individuals to take responsibility for improving their communities.
For information on Adopt-A-Roadway and other litter prevention programs in your area, visit ODNR on the web at ohiodnr.com