"Cover Your Load"

Waste Management and Don't Mess with Texas participate every summer in a public education campaign to remind area residents to “cover your load” when bringing unwanted debris to area landfills to prevent accidental litter.

“During a move, people clean out their homes and end up with large loads of items they want to donate to charity as well as unwanted trash to be disposed of at the landfill,” says James Smith, Waste Management district manager. “It’s important that residents properly secure their loads with a tarp to prevent debris from littering the roads and to keep items from falling out and hurting someone.”

		During July, Waste Management distributed a flyer to its customers with “Cover Your Load” tips as well as Don’t Mess with Texas litterbags and stickers. Covering your load is not only the right thing to do, it’s the law, says Smith. The Texas Transportation Code, as well as Waste Management, requires vehicles be properly equipped to prevent loose material from escaping by blowing or spilling.
The Austin American Statesman, News 8 Austin, KXAN, Fox-7, KLBJ and Univision did news stories reminding area residents to “cover your loads” to prevent litter.

“Cover Your Load” Tips Use a tarp big enough to completely cover your trailer or truck bed – a minimum of four inches should overlap the sides, front and back of your load Tightly secure the tarp with ropes and/or bungee cords A tarp is not required if the debris is completely enclosed by a load-carrying compartment Make sure your truck or trailer bed does not have a hole, crack or other opening where debris can escape Before leaving the landfill, remove any loose material that may remain in the trailer or truck bed