Dow Constantine, I want King Country Metro Transit to do more to help control litter.

Litter is unsightly. It is wasteful. It is an eyesore. It is potentially hazardous. It is most certainly harmful to our fragile urban and rural environments. Litter takes many forms. Fast food wrappers, energy drink cans, cigarette butts, dog waste bags, coffee cups, lids and straws, the list goes on and on...

Controlling litter is everyone's responsibility. Disposing of our consumables in their proper containers, whether trash, recycle or compost, helps keep our communities green and clean. Stopping to pick up litter as we walk to school, to work or to shop improves the beauty of our neighborhoods and builds community pride. Public access to waste containers is an essential component to controlling litter. Cities often provide trash and recycling containers in downtown areas and parks, as do private businesses, especially in shopping centers.

King County Metro Transit has an existing policy to only provide trash containers at stops with covered shelters. No shelter means no trash can. And no recycling containers anywhere. Riders waiting for the bus often come from fast food meal stops or shopping trips with waste to dispose of. Lacking a container, many people sadly choose to leave their trash at the bus stop. This is totally unacceptable and totally preventable.

Metro Transit can do better. They used to do better. Until 2009, Metro sponsored an Adopt-a-Stop program, where individuals or organizations could partner with government to help control litter, to help make a difference in their communities. Funding for this program was cut to address a budget shortfall and it was never restarted.

I want King Country Metro Transit to restore funding for the Adopt-a-Stop program. I want Metro to consider providing trash containers at any stop requested through citizen input, and to expand the litter collection program to include containers for recyclable materials at selected bus stops. Together, we can all make a difference.