The beauty of Putnam County is especially evident in spring and early summer when the trees fill out and plants are blooming. Even driving along county roads lined with trees, one can feel immersed in nature. Unfortunately, roadside litter can be an eyesore in an otherwise serene setting. Other than not contributing to the problem, there are two solutions Putnam residents can use to keep roadside litter at bay: the County’s Litter Patrol, and volunteer road cleanups.

The Litter Patrol is staffed by the Arc of Mid-Hudson; their crews pick up litter on county roads. While they rotate different roads across the county, they also respond to reports of litter. Putnam residents can report litter on county roads in a convenient form found on the Putnam Recycles website at putnamcountyny.gov/health/recycle or by clicking here. The form can also be found through the QR code below. The road with litter is added to the schedule and cleaned up shortly after.

Volunteer road cleanups can be done by any Putnam County resident or group on town or private roads. The health department loans litter cleanup equipment, including high visibility vests, litter grabbers, and garbage bags. If you’re interested in borrowing equipment or organizing a road cleanup, visit the Putnam Recycles website at putnamcountyny.gov/health/recycle. Safety guidelines and tips for a road cleanup can also be found on this website.

If you see litter on the Putnam Trailway, please notify Parks and Recreation in the Putnam County Department of Public Works through their website, putnamcountyny.gov/parks-recreation.