This week saw yet another waste spill occurring on Sampson County highways, although this time the substance spilled was not an animal byproduct. We’ve talked about ag spills ad nauseam at this point, and our local governments have finally taken decisive steps to more adequately respond to these spills and hold those responsible accountable with criminal citations.
We applaud them for that — both the Clinton City Council and Sampson County commissioners — but unfortunately, the reality is we will probably never be able to completely rid our communities of these waste spills unless drivers are more cognizant of keeping their loads in their trucks, and we, as a community, do our part to keep our area clean.
We’re not saying these waste spills are our citizens’ fault, but there is something the average person can do, or rather not do and that, quite simply put, is not to litter.
It’s a simple request, but one that’s impossible to prevent, it seems. Yes, truck drivers who haul waste should definitely make sure their loads are secure, covered and not dripping onto the highway. By that same token, we can also make sure our trash bags are secured when we’re driving to the landfill, that we don’t throw our fast food containers out the window, and that, for those among who smoke, we keep some sort of ash tray in our cars rather than flicking the butts out the vehicle window. True, we’re not in the ’80s anymore, when every vehicle came equipped with its own cigarette lighter and ashtray, but there are options to prevent littering. It just takes effort on everyone’s part.
One has only to take a ride anywhere in Sampson County, and you’re likely to see someone’s torn garbage bag on the side of the roadway, trash flowing out and blowing off in the wind. You’ll probably see someone’s Bojangle’s box or a drink can or a plastic grocery bag, too. In some places, you’ll see even larger trash items, like an old mattress or beaten-up recliner just sitting beside the road like it’s supposed to be there.
In the days of yore, folks in rural communities did dump their trash in the woods, but we are in 2026. We have trash containers, and they should be used. It is time to stop treating our forests, roadways, fields, streams, rivers and streets like our own personal landfill.
It’s actually hypocritical to wring our hands and complain about all the waste spills when we have no issue throwing our fast food wrappers out the window without a second thought.
Yes, tougher laws to discourage waste spills are a wonderful thing, and there should be more of them. But at the same time, each and every person in this county can do their part to help ensure that our community doesn’t look like a trash heap.
If you see litter, stop to pick it up and place it in the proper receptacle. Keep a small bag in your vehicle and put the trash in it, and then take that bag to the dump when you haul off your household trash, or put it in the curbside container for your municipality or a company like GFL to pick up. It really is that simple.
If you care for your community — and we are sure that everyone reading this does — please, we implore you, help keep it looking like a place you want to live. No one wants to look out their window and see trash or discarded food products or animal waste.
Together, we can make our communities something in which we can all be proud.