Newport to Address Litter Issues

When the city opted to reduce the number of trash bins across the city and switch to new, solar-powered units, there were concerns that the switch would result in more litter.

Earlier this week, a photograph of two bins overflowing with garbage — one in front of Queen Anne Square, another in front of the Armory — seemed to suggest that those predictions were right.

Both pictures showed a mess of litter surrounding the bins. At Queen Anne Square, an ice cream cup sits on top of the overflowing bin and bits of paper can be seen on the grass and the curb.

City Councilor Kate Leonard said that the pictures show that “Newport has more trash throughout the city in tourist areas especially.”

But, according to Director of Public Services William Riccio, the pictures show isolated incidents.

“We do not feel that we have been seeing more litter in the city. The two photos indicate two separate issues,” Riccio said.

In the photo of the litter in front of the Armory, Riccio said it looks like someone dumped household trash by attempting to put it in the solar unit. The bag, on the ground, “seems to have been opened by birds with some of the contents on the sidewalk.”

The photo of the bin in front of Queen Anne Square shows a unit that was jammed by trash in the chute or malfunctioning for some reason.

Riccio said he checked with Waste Management, which services the bins, and they said they hadn’t learned of any related issues with the unit.

“The technology allows for the units to electronically report their level of capacity (fullness) so that providers know when units might need an additional service,” Riccio said. “They do not accommodate isolated clogging issues as such through the electronic reporting capabilities.”

That bin also was stuffed in an isolated incident and “does not shed light on the litter issue.”

Still, Riccio isn’t suggesting that litter is not a problem in Newport.

He said he supports an idea that the City Council will review next week to develop a work program for students to address litter and keep business areas tidy.

The City Council actually has two items on its upcoming agenda: one, to establish a “Newport Clean Team” project, which was spearheaded and introduced by Councilor Lynn Ceglie and appears to have backing of six City Council members; and a Student Work Program for Rogers High School students, sponsored by Councilor John Florez.

Riccio said that the Clean Team proposal has been in the works for some time and has the support of the chamber and the East Bay Community Action Program.

“I noticed in the recent Chamber mailing that they are seeking private business owners to donate to this cause in order to help to develop this work program for students as well as to help keep the business areas clean,” Riccio said. “We are very supportive of the idea as it will assist the Clean City program in its litter control efforts in our more heavily trafficked areas of the city.”

And it’s important to note that the litter problem starts and ends with residents. Though tourists will leave litter on occasion, the problem is often exacerbated by residents themselves who either litter or walk by litter and don’t bother picking it up.