The Discover Columbus Committee has proclaimed April as Litter Awareness Month. Baby boomers will remember the Keep America Beautiful campaign and slogan “Don’t Be A Litterbug” from the 50’s and 60’s. This initiative has gone by the wayside over the years, but needs to come back to the forefront once again. With the announcement last week that Town of Columbus residents can get a free trash pick-up during the week of April 8 – 12, the committee thought this was the perfect time to relaunch this campaign. 

Monday through Friday, April 8 – 12 residents can place items such as household appliances, furniture, carpet, flooring, tires, mattresses and washers and dryers. Not accepted will be anything that is hazardous waste, roof shingles, batteries, paint, items containing Freon, propane tanks, household garbage, yard waste, televisions, computers, electronics, microwaves or recyclables.   

The Discover Columbus Committee, which meets monthly at the Columbus Town Hall, has had guests attend the meetings in the past several months to complain about the amount of litter in the town limits. Members of the committee have all seen the evidence of this themselves. The proclamation’s goal is to bring awareness and encourage every resident to take part in protecting the beauty and cleanliness of the community. “This is not just a Columbus problem, but a county problem, too. We must all take part and encourage the elimination of litter so that our families and visitors will take pride in not only our natural beauty, but in how clean we keep our hometown”, said Robert Williamson, committee member and Chair of the Town Council. 

Families can take part simply by cleaning up their yards, streets, or public areas. Keep extra plastic bags handy and challenge children to pick up 10 pieces of litter a day. “I know as a baby boomer myself, my parents encouraged me to not litter, and it has stuck with me in my adult life”, said committee member Nadine Naujoks. 

The proclamation was approved by the Town Council and signed by the Mayor, Eric McIntyre.       

– Submitted by Janet Sciacca