It’s LITTER, not advertising!

At a recent Board of Commissioners Town Meeting, residents noted that companies continue to litter the City with ads and flyers, in spite of City ordinances. (Newspapers are exempted from Ordinances and can legally distribute newspapers on yards.)

At the meeting a small “sandwich” bag type of plastic bag was presented with an ad (and rocks) inside. Residents have found numerous bags of this type (with the advertising inside) in Garner Lake, as well as other lakes and streams, drainage structures etc. They clog drains, damage the environment and create hazards for wildlife and pets.

The damage and pollution created by these items are substantial and are a violation of City Ordinances as well as Federal Laws and Regulations on Storm Water. I assume the plastic bags last almost forever and can destroy or harm wildlife and pets, as well as damage lawn equipment and especially damage the City stormwater system. Flyers, and other such items, other than newspapers are also illegal.

By coincidence, within several days, another round of littering advertising (including my house) occurred in Lakeland. City staff contacted the violators and advised them that this is illegal in Lakeland and citations will be issued for future violations.

If you received any “litter” pretending to be “advertising”, including flyers, plastic bags with ads in them etc. (note again that newspapers are exempt), I urge you not to purchase anything from the company. If you feel comfortable doing so, contact the advertiser and advise that you resent the littering of Lakeland yards and polluting the waters and land.

City staff will contact the violators and will take as strong enforcement action as possible to reduce littering. I would like to say “until the littering stops”, which is our goal, but I expect all we can expect is to greatly reduce the littering.