As part of their service
project, VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America)
students from the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology
Center planned and organized the cleanup
of an illegal dumpsite scattered on the school’s
Derry Township campus. A road traveling through this wooded
campus provides an out-of-the-way spot for folks to dump unwanted
trash, party debris and used tires.
The
students, from the Derry Area, Greater Latrobe, and Ligonier
Valley school districts attended a PA
CleanWays presentation to better understand the problems
of illegal dumping in their community and to learn how to document
and organize the cleanup. Their presenter noted that
one of the best places to find an illegal dump is next to a
“No Dumping” sign.
A month later on October 30,
18 volunteers, including students and school staff, took part
in the cleanup. Imagine their surprise when they discovered
a “No Dumping” sign near one of the worst spots! Two
large tractor tires and several passenger car tires, old pallets,
barrels, carpeting, and bags of beer bottles were dragged
out of the woods. In all, 1.36 tons of trash were removed!
With so many volunteers, the sprawling site was
cleaned up in no time. The VICA students hope
to have their cleanup project recognized on a state-wide level
by Pennsylvania’s VICA organization.
PA CleanWays provided cleanup
supplies and made arrangements for the trash to be taken
to the City of Latrobe transfer station for disposal. Mr. Matteo,
facilities director, used the school’s tractor and dump
truck to load the trash and haul it to
the transfer station.
Cleanup Partners:
Eastern Westmoreland CTC VICA students, Eastern Westmoreland
CTC teachers and staff, PA CleanWays of Westmoreland County,
City of Latrobe Transfer Station, Greenridge Reclamation Landfill.
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