Special to the PRESS
Once again, Cameron County Parks & Recreation will implement a CASH FOR TRASH RETURN REFUND PROGRAM which will run through the end of summer of 2015. The program will begin March 4, 2015 and will run thru September 7, 2015 and will operate on the Cameron County Beaches Access 5 & 6. This program is intended to address the negative impacts of domestic trash left behind by visitors of county beaches. This program began in 2010 as a pilot project and has shown great success in helping keep the beaches clean plus educating the public about the unsanitary environment and the detriment to human and marine life created by leaving trash behind.
As a result of the Cash for Trash Return Refund Program, since the summer of 2010, over 500 tons of trash has been removed from North County beaches. Cameron County Commissioner Court has supported this endeavor since its establishment. Commissioner Sofia C. Benavides states, “This program has been a great success since its inception. I want to thank the public for their cooperation and continued participation in ensuring the preservation of our beaches for our future generations to enjoy.” She also states, “We want our beach visitors to enjoy a clean and safe beach.” Cameron County Parks & Recreation have supported other successful methods to combat the litter problem, such as the Texas Adopt A Beach Guardian Program, Valley Proud Environment Council-Captain Crab Clean Beach Program, Respeta Su Playa/Respect Your Beach Program and a County Park’s sponsored Code Enforcement program.
Again, the Cash for Trash Return Refund Program will operate during our season’s busiest time, March 4, 2015 thru September 7, 2015. In addition to the general beach user fee of $5.00, Cameron County Park staff will collect an additional $5.00, which will be a trash bag deposit for every vehicle entering only County Beach Accesses 5 & 6, and then an empty trash bag will be provided with an attached receipt. As the visitors exit the beach, county staff will refund $5.00 in return for their receipt and county issued bag full of trash. The refund will only be issued for that same day, if the bag is full and if they return before 7:00 p.m.
Trash left behind is not only unsightly, but is harmful to our environment, marine and wildlife habitat and more particularly humans. We ask the public, and the users to respect public lands and please observe all State and County Litter Laws. For any additional information regarding this program you may contact Joe E. Vega, Parks Director with the Cameron County Parks and Recreation Department, at (956) 761-3700 or by email at jevega@co.cameron.tx.us.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
Comments