Last weekend the Lawrence Scioto Solid Waste Management District had its annual countywide cleanup.

During the cleanup more than 370 tons of trash was collected by the 330 volunteers who came out to help in the beautification effort.

“The turnout was fantastic,” Dan Palmer, LSSWMD district coordinator, said. “This year we decided to base our cleanup in the eastern end and managed to get participation from seven different townships.”

With more than 33 groups and civic organizations taking part in the cleanup the LSSWMD managed to clean 50 miles of roadways in Lawrence County.

“We had lots of help from organizations like Operation TLC,” Palmer said. “They collected 217 bags of litter, and a conglomerate of six churches got together to clean Greasy Ridge and they collected 135 bags of trash out there.”

Many of the groups and individuals who participated have been doing so for years and Palmer said they are seeing a major difference.

“Our volunteers are telling me it’s improving,” Palmer said. “Last year in places where it took six bags to clean an area this year it only took two. That’s really encouraging. That means our work is worth it.”

The cleanup is just one of the many events the LSSWMD puts on each year to help keep the county shipshape. On May 17 the organization will have its E-Waste and Shred Day at the Ironton Hills Plaza.

“We are going to get the E-Waste and Shred Day started at 10 a.m.” Palmer said. “It’s a great and safe way for people to dispose of appliances that no longer work or for them to get rid of documents that could have important personal information on them.”

The E-Waste and Shred Day is free of charge and computer monitors, cell phones, desktops and laptops will be accepted. Televisions, however, cannot be accepted during the event.