There are after-storm clean-ups, backyard clean-ups, spring and fall clean-ups…. And there’s the Putnam Litter Patrol.

Now the Putnam County Department of Health is using QR codes to ease the reporting of litter to the Litter Patrol, the clean-up program that has been operating for nearly 15 years with the support of The Arc Mid-Hudson. This private, not-for-profit organization was founded by families in Ulster, Green, and Putnam Counties, and continues to provide individualized services to children and adults with disabilities so that they may have the same opportunities as their peers. Together all organizations are working to keep Putnam beautiful!

Roadside or rail trail litter was being reported by phone. But now the simple QR code, pictured below, can be scanned by a cell phone from a computer screen or printout. This will open a digital form to fill in the location information needed by the litter patrol. You can also access the form by clicking on this link: https://form.jotform.com/231133651487152. Make sure to save the form website as a favorite in your phone’s web browser for easy retrieval while out and about. This streamlines the process and reduces the chance of a transcribing error or oversight. A simple tap or click on the green “submit” button and the location is placed on the Litter Patrol work order list for clean-up jobs. As new reports come in, the patrol will attend to the locations in the order in which they are submitted.

So, keep your eyes open. When you see litter, let the health department and The Arc Mid-Hudson know. The Litter Patrol will head to the spot and remove it after their previously scheduled clean-ups are completed.