On April 6 this year the Rural Preservation Association (RPA) held its annual Cleansweep event at the Lowhill Township Building on Route 100 and Herber Road. Despite the chilly, rainy weather, 30 volunteers showed up to help handle and process the items brought in by residents.

Resident turnout was well below other years, according to RPA board member Teena Bailey, because of the rain and possible because of the proliferation of alternate venues for recycling various items.

The event totals were 3,120 pounds of metals, 2 tons of trash, 380 pounds of white goods, 6 gaylord containers of electronics, 102 tires, 6 vehicle batteries, 184 fluorescents and assorted light bulbs, 227 pounds of household batteries, 20 boxes of items for Goodwill, and about 30 gallons of used oils.

With proceeds after paying expenses, RPA awarded a $500 scholarship to Olivia Wisser who plans to study dairy science at DelVal.

“The RPA would like to extend thanks to Lowhill Township for the use of the space, and to the Lowhill road crew for preparations and for helping on that Saturday morning,” Bailey said in a release. “Thanks also to all the hardy residents who braved the weather and showed up to recycle and dispose of unwanted items.

“We are grateful as well as the crew of Cleansweep volunteers and the Heidelberg EAC members and friends who managed to accomplish a roadside cleanup in the rainy weather, bringing back a truckload of bags of trash.”

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