Correction to the below editorial: The 1-866-LITTER-1 hotline has been suspended due to state budget cutbacks. For the time being, Ecology is not accepting reports of littering events on that line.

The line does have a recorded message letting callers know the status of the hotline. It directs them to dial 911 if they see an emergency, dangerous load situation. And it encourages them to keep state roadways clean. For more details about the hotline suspension, see go to this web page: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/litter/c_hotline2011.html

You’re driving down the road, car loaded up with recycle and garbage, on your way to the transfer station.

Along the way, you see a flattened cardboard box by the side of the road. Then you encounter a truck with loosely secured recycle items in the back. You watch as the wind works paper towels free of the load.

This may not happen every time you venture out on a dump run, but most islanders will agree that this scenario is not unfamiliar.

We would like to remind everyone that there are penalties for not adequately securing your trash items.

There is RCW is 46.61.655, “Failure to Secure Load,” which carries a $216 fine. If the action causes property damage, such as a flat tire or broken windshield, it is a misdemeanor crime. If the debris injures somebody, it could be a gross misdemeanor crime.

In addition, a county ordinance requires all loads to transfer stations be covered with a tarp. There is a fee surcharge for non-compliance.

Then there are littering laws. RCW 70.93.060 sets minimum fines for littering and illegal dumping. Local sheriff’s offices or health departments carry out most enforcement of litter laws. The fines range from $50 to $5,000, depending on the kind of littering. Littering more than a cubic yard is a gross misdemeanor and can bring up to a year in jail.

Citizens who witness littering acts can call the litter hotline at 1-866-LITTER-1 and report basic information such as date, time, location, the license plate of the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle. Department of Ecology staff will cross-reference the reported license plate with the Department of Licensing to get the name and address of the vehicle’s registered owner.

When you are loading up your vehicle with trash or recycle items, take the time to make sure debris will not be carried away on your drive to the dump. Enforcing litter laws is difficult, so you may not get “caught” or fined. But being careless with your waste makes our earth just that much more dirty.