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Over the past few weeks, Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District Director Marsha J. Eikenberry noticed a tremendous amount of trash along the roadsides.
Milk jugs, pop bottles, fast food containers, beer cans and candy wrappers are just a few of the items she has seen.
"I've seen a lot of trash along the roadsides this spring and I hope the people would think before they throw out things along the roadsides because it could end up in our soil and waterways and harm our wildlife," Eikenberry said.
In an effort to remind people not to litter and the importance of recycling, KCSWMD is once again hosting Earth Day.
"Earth Day is a day to recognize environmental responsibility and stewardship," Eikenberry said.
Saturday, Earth Day will be celebrated from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw. Many activities are planned for the entire family.
A new event and a highlight will be the Earth Day Contest: "What is the most creative or useful thing you can make from an old milk jug?" There are contest categories for every age and a prize for each group.
The first three contest categories are kindergarten through grade two, grades three to five and grades six to eight. The prize for each category is a skating party at Eastlake Skate Center.
Winner of the grade nine to 12 category will receive a $25 gift certificate to North Pointe Cinema. The adult category winner will receive a recycled plastic bird feeder from Poly-Wood Inc.
All participants will receive Earth Day ribbons. Entries must be delivered to the Earth Day pavilion between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Judging will take place at noon.
Allied Waste Industries will have a working landfill model on display. Stafford Solid Waste Services will allow county residents to get a close look at a recycling truck.
Everyone will be able to get a free tree from the Soil and Water Conservation District. At the Kosciusko County Master Gardener booth, attendees will be able to plant either a pumpkin or sunflower.
Superior Excavating will provide samples of composting and mulching. Smokey the Bear will provide entertainment and environmental tips at 1 p.m. on center stage. Lewis Salvage, supporters of KCSWMD's paper recycling day, also will be on hand.
Turner Technologies will teach county residents about water quality testing. Other booths providing information on water will be sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation District and by local water management associations.
Eikenberry said corporation and community participation was important because "it gives them the opportunity to show the residents in the county the services they have to offer that deal with the environment."
Both children and adults will be able to decorate their own planters and plant petunias at the KCSWMD booth. The Solid Waste District also will have information on household mercury and household hazardous waste disposal.
Tarkio Road will have a variety of bicycles to try out outside the pavilion.
Door prizes will be given away every hour. A "Bungee Run" will be in the park for bigger kids and a "Caterpillar Playground" will be available for toddlers. A "Recycling Relay Game" will be held for children. Each participant will receive a prize.
Earth Day is also a celebration to protect the animals on the planet. There will be goats, baby rabbits and more for everyone to pet.
Food will also be provided by a local church youth group on Earth Day.
