Reduce Roadside Trash by Covering Your Load

Trucks hauling unsecured loads contribute significantly to the unsightly trash that litters Marin’s highways and local roads. More importantly than the eyesore factor, the buildup of debris negatively impacts the environment, contaminating waterways and animal habitats. The simple act of covering a truck bed with a tarp helps to reduce that pollution. To spread awareness, Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP) is collaborating with local partners to help eliminate roadway trash at a Secure Your Load event on Thursday, November 16.

The event will take place at Marin Sanitary Service, located at 565 Jacoby Street, San Rafael, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. People who arrive with uncovered trucks will receive complimentary tarps. MCSTOPPP staff, California Highway Patrol (CHP), and anti-litter volunteers will educate attendees on the importance of tarp usage for environmental protection, as well as California’s law requiring secure truck loads.

MCSTOPPP is a joint effort of Marin’s cities, towns and the County of Marin, which works to prevent pollutants from washing off urban areas into storm drains, creeks, bays and the ocean.

“The goal of our Secured Loads program, and this biannual event, is to help maintain clean roadways through awareness of state and local littering laws,” said Rob Carson, MCSTOPPP Administrator. “To put it simply, securing your truck load is the responsible and environmental thing to do.”

Partners for this event include Marin Clean Highways, Marin CHP, Caltrans, Marin Sanitary Service, Marin County Supervisors Kathrin Sears and Damon Connolly, Senator Mike McGuire, and Assemblyman Marc Levine. The event is sponsored in part by Jackson’s Hardware, San Rafael McDonald’s, and Marin Builders Association.

To volunteer in this effort, please contact Angela Clapp at MCSTOPPP. To learn about the many ways to reduce pollutants in our waterways, visit the MCSTOPPP website. For information on past events, visit Marin Clean Highways.
 
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held at accessible sites. If you are a person with a disability and require information or materials in alternative formats – or if you require accommodation to participate in a county program, service or activity – please contact department staff at least five days in advance of the event at (415) 473-7331 or (415) 473-4381 (voice/TTY) or e-mail disabilityaccess@marincounty.org.