World biosphere home to lots of trash

Gerry Kouri spent a couple days last week walking the roadside on County Road 21 collecting garbage.
Knowing of no local clean-up initiatives, Kouri took it upon herself to collect the trash that is dumped and thrown from car windows.
She said with the area boasting natural beauty and being a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, one would think this type of activity would be encouraged by local municipalities.
Having lived in New Tecumseth, where they hold Pitch-in Week around Earth Day, Kouri said she always participates in a clean-up at this time and is disappointed that there isn’t an organized activity.
In the Black Bank area, one concession east of Centre Road she collected 399 beer cans, 49 beer bottles and nine liquor bottles. She also collected a bunch of other recyclables and garbage.
The haul is evidence of drinking and driving, people throwing trash out their car windows and larger scale dumping.
With the help of her son Seth, Kouri also found two televisions, 14 tires, a stereo, office chair, an old stove, paint cans, car parts and more.
We attempted to contact Mulmur and Dufferin County to find out how they support residents who watch to pitch-in and clean up garbage in their communities but our calls went unanswered.
Dufferin County does have an Adopt-a-Road Program. Application forms can be found at www.dufferincounty.ca/roads-infrastructure/adopt-road-program.