Louisa nonprofit to distribute free cargo nets to reduce roadside litter

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Louisa County nonprofit group is cracking down on uncovered waste loads by distributing free cargo nets to reduce roadside litter.

According to an April 8 press release, volunteers with nonprofit group Louisa Clean will be distributing free cargo nets to help residents cover their waste loads and reduce litter, ensuring compliance with Code of Virginia § 10.1-1424.

Per a release, dumping trash could also result in penalties as outlined in the Code of Virginia § 33.2-802.

“Louisa Clean’s work is incredibly valuable, inspiring, and culture changing – but the goal is to reduce the need for anyone to be roadside putting themselves at risk,” said Cuckoo District Supervisor Chris McCotter in a release. “Uncovered loads are one of the biggest contributors to roadside litter, and it’s something we can fix as a community.”

Louisa Clean has collected over 3,330 bags of litter along county roads since March 2022, officials said in a presentation at an April 5 county board of supervisors meeting. The group also added 26 road segments to the Adopt-a-Highway program.

Officials noted that Mica Road and Moorefield Road leading to the Louisa County Landfill received seven scheduled pick-ups over the past year due to high litter volume -- compared to the typical twice-a-year pick-up under the Adopt-a-Highway program, officials said.

“We too often see trash falling out of cars and trucks, so we will be distributing these heavy-duty cargo nets until we run out,” said Jody Korman of Louisa Clean in a release. “Cargo nets will be available at the landfill and refuse and recycling sites, and we hope to see them put to good use on vehicles in the County soon.” 

Enforcement is scheduled to increase beginning this spring.

Officials shared the following distribution days and times:

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Buckner Refuse Site, 1947 Fredericks Hall Road in Bumpass
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at School Bus Road Refuse Site, 971 School Bus Road in Louisa
• 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, April 12 at Convenience Center at Landfill, 807 Moorefield Road in Mineral
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at Holly Grove Refuse Center, 25 Copper Line Road in 
  Bumpass

According to a release, supplies are limited and Louisa County refuse and recycling are for residents only.