Weisenberg Township residents recently learned more about littering and proper trash disposal from members of the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee during Litter Awareness Day at Waste Management, 2710 Golden Key Road.

EAC Chairman Martin Rakaczewski, event organizer, encouraged residents to properly bring to and dispose of waste at Waste Management.

They were also asked to follow the township’s ordinance to cover open-top vehicle beds and to secure rubbish during transport so it doesn’t fly out.

Rakaczewski also asked residents who witness illegal dumping or repeat littering to notify the township by email at eac.weisenbergtownship@gmail.com and to provide information on the offenses.

“The more we can get the message out about cleaning up the litter and reporting it, it’s good for the environment and good for everybody,” Rakaczewski said. “We have farms around here. Farmers are planting and this stuff gets in the water table.

“We’re trying to encourage reporting this to clean up the litter and hold people accountable. If we don’t do something, this is not going to stop.”

Rakaczewski said the event was established to address increasing reports of litter and abandoned tires throughout the township.

He specifically mentioned a recent cleanup of 94 abandoned tires on a property along Silver Creek Road as evidence of the growing problem.

Rakaczewski said the tire dump was cleaned up by the township road crew and a report was filed with the Pennsylvania State Police.

He also noted how such illegal dumping imposes a burden on the property owner.

“Think about how sad that is. That’s 94 tires left there which the property owner now has to take care of,” he said.

Township Administrator and Zoning Officer Brian Carl said he has received more and more complaints about illegal dumping and littering within the township.

“When you look closer, it’s really there,” Carl said.

Katie Rakaczewski noted during last year’s Earth Day cleanup effort, volunteers filled between eight and 10 large garbage bags with trash and debris within a 1-mile radius of Waste Management.

She also said the collected rubbish included pieces of plastic, car parts, hubcaps, scrap metal and industrial pallet wrapping.

“It’s not just household trash,” she said, adding as awareness of the problem grows, so does awareness of the litter itself.

“We’re more aware of it now, and the trash is out there. When you look for it you can really see it, and there’s more and more of it all-around.”

In addition to township and EAC members, troopers from Troop M, Bethlehem, also joined in the litter awareness event to provide information on the legal repercussions for illegal dumping and littering offenses.

Trooper Lauryn Ference said state police are aware of the increased rubbish problem, and were ready to work with the EAC and township to address the issues.

“It seems like a pretty prevalent problem up here, and anything PSP can do to prevent it, we’re all for it,” she said.

Ference also encouraged people to come forward and contact the township or police if they have information on unlawful dumping or repeated littering practices, as it makes prosecuting efforts easier.

“It gives us that ability to cite them if we get the information about the dumping,” she said.

Trooper Angel Cruz explained the different penalties which await violators of Pennsylvania’s scattering rubbish laws.

First-time litterers, guilty of a summary offense, face a $50-$300 fine, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both.

Subsequent offenses are third-degree misdemeanors and will result in a $300-1,000 fine, imprisonment or up to a year of community service.

For individuals or organizations knowingly depositing collected rubbish on roads, private property or waterways - a first-time offense carries a $500 to $5,000 fine, imprisonment or a maximum of two years community service.

For subsequent violations, offenders face a $1,000-$10,000 fine, imprisonment or up to five years community service.

Rakaczewski praised state police, township officials and workers for their partnership and assistance with Litter Awareness Day and other cleanup projects.

“The state police are helping to hold people accountable, and they have been a huge support,” he said. “I want to thank Weisenberg Township and especially the road crew for their hard work; they have really stepped up with removing tires and trash and just helping with all the cleanup.”

Residents who stopped by were treated to doughnuts and coffee courtesy of Duck Donuts, 4608 Broadway, South Whitehall, as they learned more about littering issues.

Several said they were glad to see attention drawn to the issue.

Marilyn Reichard of Seipstown said additional cleanup efforts were necessary to improve the township’s quality of life, and she was happy to see community members getting informed and involved.

“I think everything [that can be done] to get rid of litter on the side of the street is a good idea,” she said.

Weisenberg residents Mike Kemeter and Jennette Aubert said they were well aware of the rubbish problem and spoke about how the trash affected their farm and animals.

“We constantly have to pick up the garbage

It’s getting baled up in our hay. It’s in our fields. We don’t want to get that in our horses’ feed,” Aubert said.

Kemeter said he would set up cameras along his property to catch perpetrators and pass the information along to the township or authorities.

“We’re going to put an end to it. We’ll catch them,” he said.

EAC members and Carl also distributed flyers detailing upcoming cleanup and recycling events. These included Oct. 10 at the Weisenberg Fire Company, 2500 Golden Key Road, and the April 22 Earth Day township cleanup.

Carl asked for volunteers to contact the township office to learn more about participating in the community cleanup.

Rakaczewski said he was glad to see the community response to the Litter Awareness Day.

Based on the feedback, they may bring the event back in the future.

Rakaczewski said it was imperative to address the trash problem for the good of both residents and the environment.

He said the EAC will continue doing its part by raising awareness about littering and dumping and promoting efforts to keep the township clean and beautiful.

“People need to do the right thing for the environment. If they can, go out there, pick up trash, report it to the township, the police, the EAC, it needs to be a team effort to attack this problem,” Rakaczewski said. “We have a lot of community support and this is how it starts, with everybody in the community doing the right thing for the environment.”