SALISBURY, Md.- A new survey out by Salisbury University students finds a majority of Wicomico County residents believe litter is a problem and want some solutions.
Professor Ryan Weaver says while the data may be obvious to some, the study now offers a launching pad for change.
"93 percent of the Wicomico County respondents agreed that roadside litter is a problem in Wicomico County," said Weaver. "We've had mattresses, and all sorts of things picked up, tires, and pounds and pounds of litter, so that was not surprising 93% of Wicomico respondents say that roadside litter is a problem, that's in alignment with what we see just driving by on the side roads."
Student Malinda Williams who worked on the survey says the next part of the study was collecting answers to some potential solutions.
"We also found some information from the county about what they would like to see happen as a result, as in more education, more volunteer outreach," said Williams.
"We had about 50 percent of people say that they want more recycling stations, closer recycling stations," said student Allison Yager, who also worked on the survey.
Bruce Robson of Wicomico Clean, a volunteer litter clean up group, says the county has made steps forward but there is more work to be done.
"It's a huge problem. It's not gonna happen overnight. It's our belief there is going to need some legislation at some point," said Robson.
Professor Weaver and students will present the data to the Wicomico County Council during the County Council meeting Tuesday April 15h.