Community Service, Prison Details Take 40,000 Lbs. of Trash off Macon Streets

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Since January, more than 40 thousand pounds of trash has been taken of the streets in the city of Macon.

“We saw how Columbus was using people in the community that were either prison details, LEC workers, or community service people,” said Stephen Lawson, Macon Grounds Superintendent.

So far it’s working wonders. About 300 people come out every weekend, and on average pick up about 1600 lbs. of bottles, wrappers, and containers.

“We had things on Eisenhower and Pio Nono that you wouldn’t believe. Pieces of automobiles, bed springs, living room suits, tires, all kinds of things,” said Dawson.

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert praised Lawson for organizing the program through the courts and prison system. He said now it’s time to get all the unintentional, and intentional litter bugs to can their trash.

“You put a bag of trash in the back of your pickup truck and you get home, and it’s not there. Well that’s because the blew it out. So some people who didn’t really intend to litter are the biggest problem,” said Reichert.

Even though they’ve got to hit major streets like MLK Boulevard and Eisenhower Parkway more than once a month, Lawson says this program is definitely making a difference.

“People in the community are seeing that things are cleaner, and you know the major thing is get the community behind us to pick up on their own too, and ya know, lead by example,” said Lawson.

Next time you’re thinking of throwing that empty bottle out your window, the mayor says remember this.

“Don’t mess with Texas started as an anti-litter slogan so let’s say, on’t mess with Macon. Don’t trash us!”

Recently, the city contracted with G-DOT to clean up state highways and rights of way. Mayor Reichert says this program helps keep those state roads in good shape.