Long Island town takes aggressive stance against littering

The Town of Babylon, located on Long Island in New York, has taken a bold approach to combat its persistent littering problem. With the launch of the "Operation Clean" campaign, accompanied by imposing fines, the town aims to eradicate this chronic issue once and for all, SSP reported.

In a captivating advertisement, the campaign depicts a habitual litterer experiencing a dose of instant retribution, as a garbage truck unloads its contents right onto his lawn, serving as a playful form of "karma." Additionally, the town has strategically placed anti-littering signs displaying thought-provoking messages such as, "Why are you littering? I am lazy. I don't care about natural areas. Mommy still cleans up after me. All of the above."

Fed up with the town's reputation as a litter-filled area, Town of Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer has asserted, "Why do we have to have the moniker of being slobs? That's why we're getting in everybody's face now and saying, 'Enough is enough.'" CBS New York reports that this dedication to cleanliness has resulted in over 250 tons of road trash being collected this year alone. Moreover, efforts to safeguard the Great South Bay have led to the removal of an additional 15,000 pounds of debris from local creeks.

Schaffer emphasizes the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility and maturity by reiterating, "We want to show people that if you are littering, you're doing something irresponsible and immature." First-time offenders face the possibility of hefty fines, amounting to up to $1,000 for their irresponsible actions.

 By directly confronting the issue and holding individuals accountable, the town hopes to bring about a positive change while fostering a sense of civic pride among its residents.