Published: November 19, 2009 11:06 am      

Hinkle cleans up illegal dump sites

Work is cooperative effort

PINE KNOT— An illegal dump site on Laurel Creek Cemetery Road has been cleaned up thanks to a partnership between Hinkle Contracting,

McCreary Co. Solid Waste 109 Board and PRIDE.

The site actually encompassed three dumps located very close together which contained old appliances, tires and household garbage. It had been on the county’s cleanup list since 2006 but funds were not available to pay a contractor to bring in the necessary equipment to remove the large debris.

“We are grateful for Hinkle’s ongoing commitment to assisting communities with dump removals,” PRIDE’s Karen Engle stated. “Hinkle regularly donates equipment and personnel to assist in cleanup projects, saving local governments thousands of dollars. Even greater is the value to

our region’s health and tourism.”

PRIDE arranged for Hinkle to donate $12,320 in labor and equipment to remove the debris.

The 109 Board took responsibility for disposing of the trash and recycling the metals.

“Without Hinkle’s help, the site would not have been cleaned this year,” McCreary County Solid Waste Coordinator Linda Babb stated. “It is so important to remove dumps, but the cost can be challenging. Dumps like this are eyesores in our beautiful community, and they are dangerous

to the public as well as wildlife.”

Babb intends to post “No Dumping” signs at the former dump site. The area will be monitored closely to make sure illegal dumping does not begin there again.

PRIDE is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education efforts in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. Visit

www.kypride.org for more information.