I was introduced to the “Beautiful Trash Can” program by Walt Thompson, Project Manager of Keep Putnam Beautiful (KPB) at the 2008 4-H Fair at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel.  The program is an innovate way to keep our county clean and beautiful all at the same time.  Over fifteen original works of art are being displayed on 55-gallon steel drums around Putnam County with several more in the works.

Liana’s Coffeeshop is one of KPB’s newest sponsor.  Liana is proudly displaying her new beautiful trash can outside the front entrance at 3 Fair Street in Carmel - stop by for a terrific latte or panini. There is plenty of parking in the rear of Liana’s Coffeeshop.

How about sponsoring a Beautiful Can? Send out a positive message that you care about the community, and have your name displayed for all to see.  Once you choose to participate in the program, Walt will solicit sketches from area artists and you pick the one you like best.  His office will purchase and deliver to a new 55-gallon steel drum and powered coated lid with an ash receptacle (which you can also use as a flower planter) to the artist.  Putnam County pays the artists $150.  Once the Beautiful Trash Can is completed, Walt’s office delivers and installs the Beautiful Trash Can with 100lbs of powdered cement of sand for stability.  A 32-gallon plastic drum (minus the handles) will also be installed making it easier to empty and prevent unsightly plastic trash bags from hanging over the top…. they have thought of everything.

Be a part of this exciting initiative with your $450 tax-deductible grant payable to Keep Putnam Beautiful, 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512.  Call Walt Thompson at 845-528-1632 or send him an email at walt.thompson@putnamcountyny.com. You can visit their site at www.putnamcountyny.com/kpb/

Want to help your community in other ways?  Here is a list of programs that are mutually beneficial:

1. Adopt-a-Highway:  Adopt a minimum of one mile of road or bike trail and receive two (2) free metal signs installed at each end. All Putnam County ask is that you do four (4) cleanups a year along your chosen section of highway.  For safety reasons they ask that only adults participate in the clean-up.   They will provide orange safety vests, Hard Hats, Litter-Grabbers, and trash bags.  Putnam County will also pick up the garbage (you need to call Walt Thompson’s office and let them know the dates so they can make the necessary arrangements.)
2. Adopt-a-Spot: Planting of flowers and other low growing plants to beautify intersections and other places.
3. Litter-Grabbers:  32″ long garbage pick-up stick that is loaned out free to Adopt-a-Highway or other volunteers imprinted with your name.
4. Take-a-Bag-For-a-Walk:  Personal volunteerism…use your own tall kitchen bags and pick up trash on walks.

Want to know what is going on in Putnam County?  <Click Here for Calendar of Events>

Keep Putnam Beautiful is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Putnam County by planting the seeds of stewardship through education, volunteerism and cost effective programs.  Help make a difference, volunteer or make a donation today.

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