Trash Pickup on the Mountain Dale to Woodridge NY Rails to Trails
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Trash Pickup on the Mountain Dale to Woodridge NY Rails to Trails

Today was a nice day for going out and doing some trash pickup. When you enter the Mountain Dale to Woodridge NY rails to trails path, you are greeted with signs to not litter. There are also plenty of trash cans along the trail. It’s mind boggling that people come to the trail and leave their trash. Worse yet, they throw it just feet away from the trash can. Why? If you’re going to enjoy the trails, be respectful and take what you bring in, out! Your water bottle was heavier when you came in. It weighs ounces when it’s empty. There is no reason to leave your trash on trails or anywhere else other than a garbage can.

Mountain dale  NY rail trail

Our Trash Pickup Finds

I’m always surprised by the things we see and find on trails and today was no exception. We were able to empty one trash bag full of items including:

  • Large Glass Jug
  • Glass Beer Bottles
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Plastic Water Bottles
trash pickup on the mountain dale to woodridge ny rails to trails 2
Large glass jug and bottle

We emptied the bag in the trash can at the end of the trail. Even around the end of the trail near the garbage cans, there was garbage. As we were coming back from the Woodridge side of the trail we found:

  • Hydration backpack
  • Water bottles
  • Lipstick
  • Beer cans
  • Large Plastic Bottle
  • Balloon
  • Plastic bag
  • Wrappers

There were plenty of other items. At the end of the trail we filled two additional bags. So, today’s haul was three 5gallon buckets worth of garbage. And, sad to say but there was plenty more garbage we can pick up. Since the road is just a few feet away from the trail, the trash just rolls down the hill towards the path. We will be going back and grabbing more but were really happy with the amount we got and the difference it makes when you clean an area.

Mountain Dale NY trash
Some of the trash we picked up in Mountain Dale NY

What Can You Do for Our Trails

Pick-Up Trash– The next time you go biking, running or hiking, take an extra bag with you for the trash. If you come back with only 2 bottles, that’s two less bottles on the trails. Plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose so you did everyone a favor, especially the wildlife.

Don’t Leave Trash– Obviously I’m going to say that if you bring something in, make sure to take it out. Candy wrappers can take up to 20 years to decompose while glass bottles can take a million years! When we find an old glass bottle we are in awe but we should really be sad. It’s been there for decades, and after a good wash it looks brand new. We love glass for its durability and longevity but it should be reused or recycles and not discarded in nature.

Don’t Release Balloons– I don’t want to burst peoples’ bubbles but the balloon you release for a loved one does not reach heaven. It ends up in trees, in woods and in the ocean. It can take six months up to four years for the balloon to decompose. The strings you use on those balloons can also harm wildlife, cutting their circulations or getting entangled. Instead of releasing balloons, donate a bench, plant flowers or a tree or do something else that will benefit our nature.

trash pickup on the mountain dale to woodridge ny rails to trails 4
The two bags of trash we picked up (blue gloves are ours)

Today was a great end to our day. We feel great after picking up trash in Mountain Dale NY. Hope you all have a happy Earth Day (in 2 days) and that you keep your liter to yourself.  

Bike Riding and Trash Pickup on the Mountain Dale to Woodridge NY Rails to Trails
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One Comment

  1. It’s so sad that people don’t educate themselves about the planet that we all live on. I joined a website about recycling to learn more. Everyone should become interested – starting when they are young so they can make throwing trash away a good habit! I don’t like litterers either. Become part of the good group taking care of our earth! Not part of the planet!

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