Local Youth Launches Litter Prevention Program

Rehoboth- Littering is a problem that is all too familiar in Rehoboth. Bottles, cans, snack bags, and other items are commonly found scattered along our roadways. Local teen Abby Abrahamson saw this as a major problem and set to work to create a sustainable litter prevention program called the Rehoboth Litter Prevention Initiative (RLPI). The mission of the RLPI is to provide preventative solutions that curb the litter epidemic from worsening and to educate residents on how and why we should keep the community clean.

This past July, Abby was granted permission by the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen to distribute three litter collection barrels along the designated 3.5-mile walking route in South Rehoboth. "The Board of Selectmen is very impressed with the level of detail Abby brings to the litter prevention initiative. We thank her for her commitment to her fellow citizens and hope others will be motivated by Abby's vision and help expand the initiative to other parts of town." Selectman Schwall says. The barrels have two purposes: to provide a form of disposal as an alternative to littering, and to provide receptacles for those who pick up litter along the walking route. “After the first mile, a person’s bag is often already full. If they planned on walking the full 3.5-mile route, they would have to carry the trash for another 2.5 miles. This can discourage people from picking up litter, and also causes certain areas of the route to be neglected if the trash bag is already full when the person passes by. The litter collection barrels are meant to be a solution to this problem.” Abby explains.

The 55-gallon barrels will don 12x18 color decals of a painting called “Rehoboth Vibe” created by talented local artist Melissa Treichler. These receptacles will be placed at the intersection of Brook, Peckham, and Water Street, at the triangle near the intersection of Providence Street and Mason Street, and at the Miller Bird Sanctuary. The Rehoboth Highway Department will provide care and maintenance of the litter collection barrels. “This project would not be possible without funding from the Rehoboth Business Association, RehobothNow.com, and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Program. I am extremely grateful for the support provided by these organizations,” Abby says. “I would also like to acknowledge Rehoboth Highway Superintendent Mike Costello for his invaluable guidance and support. Mr. Costello has played a key role in helping to get this initiative up off the ground and start successfully.”

Abby was recently appointed by the Board of Selectmen as Litter Prevention Coordinator for the town of Rehoboth. She plans on continuing the Rehoboth Litter Prevention Initiative in a new way, as she is currently leading the Keep Rehoboth Beautiful event for Rehoboth’s 375th Anniversary Celebration this coming spring. Additionally, residents can stay updated on the progress of the Rehoboth Litter Prevention Initiative by visiting it’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/litterpreventioninitiative