Don't Trash Wareham to focus on schools

Nov 15, 2015

Local anti-trash organization Don’t Trash Wareham plans to focus on the schools in its newest phase of keeping the town clean.

The organization began its efforts in the early summer, with its first major townwide cleanup in May. Founding member Nora Bicki said Don’t Trash Wareham has already gotten the middle and high schools involved, and has partnered with the Wareham Land Trust to get a Cape Cod Five grant for $1,850. The money will go towards the group’s educational component for the elementary schools next year.

Bicki said the middle school has already done a cleanup around the school itself. The JROTC will be cleaning up Wednesday around High Street, and that the Key Club will be cleaning up between Indian Neck Road and the Minot Forest Elementary school.

Though several students helped with the first cleanup the group did earlier in the year, Bicki said she felt the students will be going into it this time around with a better understanding of why it is important to keep the town clean.

“They are more motivated, and they had great questions for me, when I came to talk with them,” Bicki said of her school visits. “They seemed very attentive. … I really enjoyed doing it. The students were great.”

Members of the Honors Society will also be cleaning up places like parks or playgrounds in their various neighborhoods, as well as generally around the neighborhoods themselves.

“In the spring, we will do another major cleanup,” Bicki said. “I am sure the students will want to participate again. They will be more involved, because the understand the theory behind littering.”

The schools’ administration has also “been very supportive.”

“We appreciate it, and it’s good for the community,” Bicki said.