I moved to Clark County about five years ago and I have adored living in this beautiful part of the country. What I cannot comprehend, though, is how a beautiful, idyllic setting can be so incredibly poisoned by litter. Having lived in six different states, I can say I have never experienced litter on the scale that I have seen in Clark County. Driving along state Route 503, north of Battle Ground, each day to work, I shake my head at the quantity of roadside litter in a rural area.
When I get exceptionally disgusted, I find a sunny afternoon, don my high-visibility vest, and get to work with my picker and trash bag. I have witnessed a handful of other average citizens doing the same and I can only assume that they are as disgusted as I am. Unfortunately, the trash reappears within just a few days. On a few occasions, I’ve tried discussing the problem with neighbors and local business owners, but commonly hear the excuse “it’s the Portland city people.” I laugh at this, because I am fairly certain no one drives to Fargher Lake from Portland just to toss their Copenhagen tins and Bang energy drink cans out of the window. Sadly, it is likely it is our own local citizens, who clearly were taught no manners or sense of pride in their local community. Not only is the garbage unsightly, it is dangerous to our environment. Microplastic clogs our waterways, endangering wildlife and even causes minor flooding since the road culverts are literally plugged with trash. I hope any parents who read this will teach and model good behavior for their children and prevent future generations of litterers.
I would like to encourage my local community to get inspired to help out as well. I hope that if enough of us don our bright vests and wield our pickers, it will send a subtle message to the litterbugs that when you toss your Taco Bell cup out the window, it’s your neighbor who has to pick it up. Local restaurants and convenience stores should also take ownership and help send a message, as their products contribute significantly to the trash. If there are any local businesses interested in donating trash bags, pickers or high-visability vests, or willing to accept roadside garbage in their dumpsters, or citizens willing to host or coordinate a clean-up, please email me at clarkcountywatrashforce@gmail.com.
Camille Stephens,
Battle Ground
