For the past several months, Blanco resident and City Council member Rebecca Howerton has been fighting an uphill battle in an effort to keep trash off the streets of Blanco. They have been joined by others wanting to stop the overrun of refuse in Blanco; Amy Elrod, Beverly Burris and Ron Houston have all been crusaders as well.

At her own expense, she hired Charles Critchley, and the two have spent countless hours scouring Blanco for discarded waste.

Charles has spent several hours each week since September of last year filling up trash bags with other people's litter.

They pick up mostly beer bottles and cans, styrofoam cups, and plastic water bottles, the majority of which are flung carelessly out car windows and onto to our streets.

Throughout town, there are several appliances and old, worn - out couches and other furniture that are ready to be thrown out.

Due to time constraints and other obligations, Rebecca and Charles are not able to get as much done as they would like. They are only able to cover about half of what they were doing formerly, and so are asking the citizens of Blanco for their help.

Rebecca says, "If everyone would just pick up after themselves, the City of Blanco would be a lot cleaner."

Unlike regular household trash, appliances and furniture have to be scheduled for pick-up.

IESI, the company that handles waste pick - up for Blanco, said that in order to be scheduled for pick - up, you must first call the City of Blanco at 830-833-4525.

Work orders originate out of that office and pick - ups are then put on the schedule for the IESI drivers.

According to the City of Blanco, IESI will pick up most appliances and furniture, but will not pick up anything that contains or has contained freon; that has to be specially handled by someone who is state-licensed for the removal of freon.

The Blanco Recycling Center is another great place to take recyclable trash. The recycling center is on Jones Ave., next to the city yard.