Beach trash cans removed to help fix trash problem
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) - The Glynn County Public Works Department has removed all trash cans from the public beaches in an effort to keep St. Simons Island's seashore litter-free.
While this tactic may sound contradictory, public works and parks and recreation officials like Vance Wayne and Kenneth Grady already have seen marked improvement in the appearance of the island's public beaches.
Wayne tells The Brunswick News (http://bit.ly/2nrOwoy ) there are no longer any unsightly trash cans on the beaches and there's no longer a problem with trash spilling from overflowing cans.
"It is working and it is working very well," said Wayne, manager of St. Simons Island parks.
And, officials say visitors are embracing the county's "Carry in, Carry out" trash campaign.
The success of the county's Trash Free Beach campaign is dependent on beachgoers doing their part by "carrying out" everything they "carry in" on their day at the beach. The beach-going public gets it, said Scott McQuade, executive director of Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"I would like to thank the people, because they're the ones who are doing this and making it work," McQuade said. "They're lending us a hand. It's a partnership."
The county has placed trash and recycling receptacles in the parking areas at Coast Guard Beach, Massengale Park, Gould's Inlet, Neptune Park and the public beach access points at Fifth Street and Myrtle Street. Built and designed by the public works department, the wood-framed receptacles hold cans for trash and recycling. There is even a section for broken umbrellas, beach chairs and other larger pieces of junk.
The trash cans came off of the beach and trash receptacles went up in the parking areas back in November. Vance and Grady put up the first sign explaining the program Friday at the entrance to the boardwalk at Coast Guard Beach.
The county signs explain that this is a "Trash Free Beach" and reminds folks that litter is a crime punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.
A steady stream of beachgoers stopped by the trash receptacles on their way off the beach Friday, discarding garbage, recyclables and even a busted beach chair.
County cleanup crews still patrol the beaches for litter, Wayne said. But they find that there is less left behind by the public these days for them to pick up.
"The benefit is significant," McQuade said. "You don't see the trash cans or the trash on the beach. It looks natural."
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Information from: The News, http://www.thebrunswicknews.com