Keep it clean: Central Coast is beautiful, but far from garbage-free
What is it about people so concerned about the cleanliness of their cars that they throw trash onto public roadsides? Living in South County, I enjoy long bike rides through our beautiful, inviting, though not pristine, surroundings.
On a recent ride from Arroyo Grande through Edna Valley to Port San Luis, I was disgusted by the trash littering the shoulders of the roadways. Beer bottles, fast-food containers, plastic of all descriptions, broken glass, soiled baby diapers everywhere. It is as bad as I’ve seen in Third World countries that don’t even have regular garbage collection. We have access to hundreds of public garbage containers if we just can’t make it home with our refuse. So come on, folks, do your part and don’t litter.
As for litter, traffic and other infraction scofflaws, how about the court assigning them roadside cleanup as community service? And inmates. My experience with those in jail assures me there are many who would jump at the chance to get outdoors and do supervised roadside cleanups. And it would surely serve the common good. Kudos to those who adopt stretches of roadways to keep clean. Maybe that will be my next volunteer venture, too.
Gary J. Brennan, Arroyo Grande
This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 11:14 PM with the headline "Keep it clean: Central Coast is beautiful, but far from garbage-free."