The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is celebrating the success of its second annual Backroad Trash Bash that took place on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The event received an overwhelmingly positive response as more than 50 people gathered to clean up trash illegally dumped from Port Mellon to Roberts Creek.
Volunteers included concerned residents, a team from Swanson's Ready-Mix, members of the ATV Club and Sunshine Coast Geocachers (CITO), and staff from Capilano Highways, Telus, BC Conservation Service, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, BC Parks and the SCRD.
"Despite the stormy weather we had a great turnout of really enthusiastic volunteers; it was truly a community effort. We could not be more pleased with the results," said Beth Brooks, SCRD environmental technician. "This was also a great educational opportunity to show people what happens when trash is carelessly disposed of outdoors."
Nine tonnes of waste was collected, including household garbage, couches; tires; appliances; metal, wood; and roofing.
"People are encouraged to use our services as some materials that are dumped can be disposed of for free under product stewardship programs such as electronics, tires and household hazardous waste," added Brooks.
The SCRD has an on-line inventory map of the locations and materials at current dumpsites and is a useful tool for reporting new dumpsites. The map can be found at www.scrd.ca/Stop-Illegal-Dumping.
"The SCRD applauds the volunteers who dedicated their time to this annual community clean-up effort," said Brooks. "We hope that this helps reinforce the message that dumping trash in the woods is legally and socially unacceptable."
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