THOMASVILLE- Thomas County Public Works reports over 1,500 bags of litter are collected weekly on public roads. Public Works employs several strategies to manage litter on county-maintained roads.

The primary method is a contracted service, which conducts litter pickups six times a year along paved county-maintained rights of way. On average, the contractor removes 220 bags of litter from the right-of-way weekly. The county maintains 400 miles of paved road right-of-way.

The second method is the county workforce and Community Service. Public Works staff picks up litter five days a week, every week. Community Service workers pick up “hot spots” on county roads and state highways one day a week.

The Georgia Department of Transportation also uses contracted services to pick up litter on state-maintained rights-of-way. The state picks up litter 4 times a year and maintains 178 miles in Thomas County.

The cost of litter control for Thomas County is considerable: Thomas County spends about $257,000 a year, while the state spends about $74,000 for just Thomas County.

Citizens can help control litter by securely tying trash bags. Georgia law requires open vehicles and trailers carrying trash must be covered. Anyone seeing uncovered vehicles or trailers should report it to 911. Using compactors, at one of the seven trash collection sites conveniently located throughout the County, is highly recommended. Compaction reduces the chance of littering trash.

For additional information about the sanitation department, litter control, and the services that are provided, you may contact Jay Knight at 229-226-4389