Nothing says, “Wow, what a great place!” like the many pieces of litter lining our interstate, secondary and neighborhood roads.

I pick up trash — aluminum cans, plastic bottles, coffee cups, fast-food bags, candy wrappers, cigarette cartons — daily in my area. The most memorable combination? A plate, plastic fork and piece of cake with ice cream.

No wonder we’re back-talked as a “trashy” part of the state. The more trash there is, the more trashy one feels, and then more trash is dumped.

The thing is — we’re better than that. People just need to take a little pride in and care for their area of Maine.

Sarah Alto, Lisbon

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