Community Cleanup Days a Success in Palmer, Forks

Both Palmer and Forks townships recently held community cleanup days with volunteers picking up litter that garbage collectors don't normally collect.

On May 19, officials held a recycling event at , where 800 vehicles passed through the gates, Township Supervisor Bob Lammi said.

"The highest before we had was 500 vehicles," Lammi said. Even more important, Lammi said, was the amount of "electronic junk" that was collected.

Lammi said that amount tallied 93,021 pounds with the previous high being 50,000 pounds. Of that, Lammi said 11,560 pounds came from refrigerators.

"Just that alone saves people a lot of money," he said. "This was good for residents."

Lammi said the township's environmental steering committee ran the event.

"We got an unbelievable response," Lammi said. "It was very well-attended."

Meanwhile, over in , the results were reported on , which was held April 21.

The was informed that the event went very well with 116 bags of trash and 23 bags of recyclables collected.

Organizer Jeannine Huber said they were encouraged by the number of volunteers -- 20 adults and about 60 children.

She hopes to expand the cleanup areas next year and was also going to inquire about partnerships with Palmer and Easton.

"We definitely owe Jeannine our gratitude," Supervisor Bob Egolf said. "She runs it very smoothly. Because of you, we had another good job for the second year running."

Public Works Director Mark Roberts said all the township has to do is pick up the trash.

"It was fantastic," Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said. "This is a great event for the township."