San Rafael, CA – Much of the trash and debris on Marin’s highways comes from trucks hauling unsecured loads, so the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP) is collaborating with local partners to help eliminate roadway trash and debris at a Secure Your Load event on October 27.
A truck bed is shown with an uncovered load as it heads into the dump, illustrating a violation of state law.
Attendees will receive free tarps for their uncovered loads as well as learn about California’s law requiring secure truck loads and the environmental impact. The event will take place at Marin Sanitary Service, located at 565 Jacoby Street, San Rafael, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
MCSTOPPP is a joint effort of Marin’s cities, towns and the County of Marin, which works to reduce or stop pollutants from washing off urban areas into storm drains, creeks, bays and the ocean. Trash is not only unsightly on Marin’s roadways – it enters waterways, polluting the water and hurting the environment and wildlife.
Much of the trash and debris on Marin’s highways comes from trucks hauling unsecured loads, such as loose trash and other materials, which may fall out and create unsightly and potentially unsafe conditions. The goal of the Secured Loads program is to keep local roadways clean through awareness, education and enforcement of state and local littering laws. MCSTOPPP plans to make this a quarterly event to help inform the public.
MCSTOPPP’s Secured Loads partners include Marin Clean Highways, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Marin Sanitary Service, Marin County Supervisors Kathrin Sears, Steve Kinsey and Damon Connolly, Senator Mark McGuire, and Assemblyman Marc Levine. The event is sponsored in part by Jackson’s Hardware, San Rafael McDonald’s, and Marin Builders Association.
“We need residents to help us reduce litter by properly securing and tarping their load before driving,” said Terri Fashing, Stormwater Program Administrator. “Most people don’t want to see trash on their drive home. We need to get the word out that properly securing your load is the responsible thing to do, it’s the law, and it protects our environment.”
To volunteer in this effort, please contact Angela Clapp at MCSTOPPP. To learn about the many ways you can 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.