History of waste management in West Virginia
Many of us take it for granted that someone will take care of our trash. Rarely do we think about all the organizations and people hard at work making sure that your waste (our waste) is properly removed, disposed of, and properly managed. What happens after you drag your garbage cans to the curb on trash pick up days? And, how did trash pick up days get organized? So, let’s take a look at how trash management came to be in West Virginia, and how we became the beautiful state that we are today.
The Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan
Today, more people say that they recycle than ever. But back in the 1970’s, that was not the case. Not only did people not recycle, there was a serious waste management problem. It certainly was a far cry from what John Denver described as “almost Heaven.” He must have seen something under the pile of rubbish that covered West Virginia, and so did then Gov. Arch Moore. Recognizing that West Virginia had a huge trash management property, a new program was borne and implemented: The Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP.)
Regulated waste-hauling system of West Virginia
REAP is still making sure that waste is properly disposed of and managed so that the state will never again disappear under a pile of litter. Other programs, organizations, contractors, and volunteers like the Independent Waste Haulers and Recycling Association of West Virginia, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Highways have joined, as well. A well regulated waste-hauling system makes sure that there are laws and programs in place to:
- Prohibit illegal dumping
- Recycle
- Protect environment and atmosphere
- Keep rivers, and other bodies of water, clean
- Make trash and recycling services available in rural areas
Keeping West Virginia Beautiful
Take a minute to think about all the people that work hard to make sure that your waste is properly disposed of, and that we continue to live in a healthy, clean, and safe environment. For more than 40 years, Sunrise Sanitation Services has been a part of the team to keep West Virginia and Maryland beautiful. We offer private individuals and companies our professional services, disposing of everything from regular refuse and recycling to hazardous materials. Contact us to learn more.
