Over the past several years, the Lawrence Scioto Solid Waste Management District has brought to court many people who improperly dispose of garbage and household items.

This year alone, the district has investigated more than 130 cases, yet litterers still aren’t getting the hint, said Dan Palmer, director of the LSSWMD.

Many cases are a result of people throwing non-recyclable items in the free recycling bins throughout the county.

When that happens, Palmer said the district has to remove the items and pay for proper disposal out of the district’s budget.

“We use a lot of time, labor and money because of the foolishness and ignorance of some people,” he said.

He said many people deny knowing what kinds of materials are allowed in the recycling bins.

“It’s clearly marked what we take,” Palmer said of the bins.

Recent litter cases prosecuted in Lawrence County’s municipal courts are:

• Mark McCallister, 49, of 210 Oakland Ave., Huntington, pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor count of littering after it was discovered by investigators that he dumped construction debris in the recycling bins at Sam’s Club in South Point.

He was sentenced to a $100 fine, $25 probation fee, restitution of $146, five days in jail suspended, one year of probation and 30 hours of community service.

• Russell Huff, 39, of 30 Township Road 1094, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor count of littering in the recycling bins at Sam’s Club.

He was sentenced to $100 fine, $25 probation fee, restitution of $146, five days in jail suspended, one year of probation and 30 hours of community service.

• Christopher Hieneman, 46, of 2940 County Road 144, South Point, pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor count of littering a bathtub and surround in the recycling bins at Sam’s Club.

He was sentenced to a $150 fine, restitution of $146 and court costs.

• David Bocook, 68, of 166 Township Road 1026, South Point, pleaded no contest to a third-degree misdemeanor count of littering for dumping furniture at the Sam’s Club bins, for which he was found guilty.

He was sentenced to a $150 fine, restitution of $146 and one year probation.

• Ralph Klaiber, 61, of 1191 County Road 23, Ironton, pleaded guilty to a count of littering following anonymous complaints made to the LSSWMD that he was burning trash on his property. Upon investigation Steven Hileman, enforcement officer, said, Klaiber admitted taking money from the Friends of Ironton to haul trash following the Rally on the River, which he disposed of improperly.

He was sentenced to 30 days in jail suspended, a $300 fine, court costs, $120 probation fee and one year of probation. He was also ordered to clean up the trash and provide receipts of proper disposal.