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Volunteers Needed For Annual County Cleanup

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

TAMPA - Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful needs volunteers for its eighth annual litter cleanup campaign this month.

In groups of five, volunteers are asked to survey sections of the county and rate them on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being no litter and 4 being the equivalent of illegal dumping. This Litter Index helps staff determine which areas need more attention, education and focus.

"The goal is to determine if litter is increasing or decreasing in the county," executive director Christine Commerce said.

Following an orientation and brief training, the groups embark on one of four routes. A designated driver keeps the groups moving through about a dozen stops and takes photos while the others survey the area for bottles, discarded furniture, plastic bags and other litter. The total trip takes between three and four hours.

Commerce said the county average, based on the 4-point scale, in 2001 was 1.8 and in 2007 was 1.56, showing a slight decrease and an overall clean bill of litter health.

"We have coordinated community clean-ups in areas that come back with a 3 or 4," Commerce said.

Groups interested in participating should call Commerce at (813) 960-5121. Because of the location near some major roadways, children must be at least 12 years old.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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