Proper disposal of your trash—garbage, plastics, glass, metal, newspapers, and tires—is critical to the health of you, our River, and all of West Virginia. Litter is a significant problem that every person can do something about. Here are some facts you need to know.

Mandatory disposal of trash

A state law requires every household and business in West Virginia either to subscribe to a solid waste collection service, or to provide proof that your trash has been legally disposed of at an approved solid waste facility. Penalties are very serious.

Each household may put out up to seven bags each week and are allowed to dispose of two large items of furniture or "white goods" (appliances) each month. Cost: Approximately $12 a month.

If you live in Morgan County, contact Morgan Sanitation, Inc., PO Box 246, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 304-258-3544. If you do not live in Morgan County, call 800-472-8286 for the collection service nearest you.

Legal dumping

Residents of Morgan County may use the LCS solid waste landfill near Hedgesville in Berkeley County. There is a daily limit so it is advisable to arrive early in the day. The landfill opens at 7AM and remains open to 4PM, Monday through Friday. Cost is $31.70 per ton with a $15 minimum.

The third calendar Wednesday of each month is "Free Day." Each household may dump one standard pickup truck of household waste.

Tires are a special item. Passenger vehicle tires cost $2 each to dump at the landfill. Local tire companies will also accept tires for a fee. However, West Virginia has a new bill that enables the government to collect and dispose of tires. When funding is available from the Governor's Office, the Department of Highways places announcements in the local media of when and where you can dispose of tires free of charge.

Illegal dumping

Dumping of trash on private or public lands or waterways without a permit is against the law. West Virginia is trying to eliminate an estimated 10,000 open dumps currently blighting the state's ridges and valleys and polluting the rivers. All citizens must use permitted solid waste disposal facilities and insist that haulers contracted to dispose of trash do so legally. Violators of this law face civil penalties of up to $5,000 a day and criminal penalties of up to $25,000 a day and up to one year in prison.

There are now several "groundhog cameras" at illegal dump sites around the county. These motion activated cameras photograph those who dump and send the information to a remote location. Some people have tried to destroy the camera but this only gave the authorities a close-up portrait of the violator. For more information, contact: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). Office of Waste Management. 800-472-8286.

Open burning of refuse

Current solid waste and air pollution regulations prohibit the open burning of household solid waste, even in burn barrels. It is illegal to burn trash, plastic, or other synthetic material. However, burning of leaves, branches, grass, stubble, stumps and other natural vegetation grown on the home premises is permissible when it is in compliance with the forest fire laws. Such open burning must be conducted during daylight hours: during forest fire season; no burning is allowed between 7AM and 4 PM. During times of high fire danger, burning is not allowed.

Burning is regulated by two state agencies: the Division of Forestry from a fire safety standpoint and the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) from an environmental standpoint. For more information, call the Office of Air Quality in Charleston, 304/558-3286 or the Division of Forestry in Romney, 304/822-4512.

Recycling

A recycling program in Morgan County maintains the following pickup locations:

•Greenwood Elementary - 1st Sat. of Month - 9-11am

•Industrial Park - 2nd Tues. of Month - 9- 11

•Great Cacapon Elementary - 2nd Sat - 9-11am

•Paw Paw Elementary - 2nd Sat of Month - Noon-2pm

•Widmyer Elementary - 3rd Sat of Month - 9-12pm

•Pleasant View Elementary- 4th Sat of Month - 9-11am

•Moose Lodge #1483 - Last Tues. of Month - 9-11am

The following materials may be recycled: bottles and jars, cans, paper, magazines, catalogs and chipboard. Each year specific dates are set for recycling "white goods," which include unwanted appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, cabinets. New sites and recyclables are constantly added, so for details and current schedule contact Morgan Country Solid Waste Authority, 304-258-8718.

Tri-State recycling in nearby Hancock, Maryland, buys aluminum, copper and brass: 301-678-5909.

Adopt-A-Highway Program

Annually in the spring, generally April, and in the fall, generally September, the Adopt-A-Highway program sponsors special "Make It Shine" cleanups. In addition, on the third Saturday of September, there is a focused "Cleanup Day." For more information contact, Department of Highways, 304-258-2578.

Composting yard and kitchen wastes

In this country 15 to 20 percent of the material going into landfills is yard waste. Because this is such a large percentage and we are running out of room for landfills, West Virginia law has prohibited the disposal of yard waste in landfills an since June 1, 1993.

Composting has many benefits. The organic matter generated is a valuable soil amendment for use around your home.

Simply put, composting is combining two difference kinds of household materials—"browns" and "greens."

"Browns" are such things as straw, sawdust, fall leaves and paper, including newspapers.

"Greens" are such things as grass clippings, uncooked vegetable kitchen waste, green weeds and coffee grounds. Never include meats, bones, fats, oils or grains—wild animals love these things.

The best proportion needed is 30:1. Thirty parts brown stuff which is high in carbon to one part green stuff which is high in nitrogen. Combinations of green stuff and brown stuff will make satisfactory compost.

While it is not essential to grind, chop or shred materials before they are composted, it definitely will speed up the process.

These materials should be layered in a pile, a fenced in area (about 3 foot square) or a compost container. Layer the browns and greens in this order watering as you go:

Start with a 6-8 inch layer of high carbon wastes such as dead leaves, woody brush and plant stalks.

Follow with a 2 inch layer of high-nitrogen material such as grass clipping, manure or vegetable scraps from the kitchen

Add a 1 inch layer of soil or sod.

Turn all this over with a pitchfork from time to time.