Media Release:

Yearly, The Washington County Sheriff’s Office receives citizen complaints about trash and debris on National Pike (Rt 40) in the vicinity of Earth Care Road.

Working with our partners at the Solid Waste Department and County Highway Department, we have identified improper securing of loads on vehicles and trailers as the primary cause of the problem. Vehicles transporting loose debris to the landfill present a safety hazard to other vehicles operating on the roadway.

Additionally, National Pike is designated as a Scenic Byway by the State of Maryland. Loose debris and garbage scattered along the roadway and private property is an eyesore to the public and a safety and health concern to land owners in the area of the landfill.

Since March, The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has periodically distributed educational pamphlets to landfill users at the Washington County Solid Waste Landfill, 12630 Earth Care Road Hagerstown, Maryland. The pamphlet describes the problem and lists Maryland Traffic Laws and fines related to failure to properly cover loads on vehicles and littering.

The County Highway Department has also placed a message sign board at the entrance of the landfill warning users to cover loads.

Loose material is defined as any material that can blow, fall or spill as a result of movement or exposure to air, wind or weather.   Since March, furniture, mattress box springs and bags of garbage have been observed along roads leading to the landfill.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends the use of tarps, canvass, cargo nets, bungee nets on trucks and trailers to prevent items from blowing on to the roadway.

These laws apply to users of the Greensburg, Hancock and Dargon transfer stations.