Winter is almost gone and it is time for some spring cleaning — countywide.

Now that warm weather is here, at least for a little while, this is the perfect opportunity to start making our property, our communities and our entire county litter free and clean.

Although a variety of county groups like the Lawrence- Scioto Solid Waste Management District are doing a good job, they cannot do it alone.

A host of grassroots civic groups like Ironton In Bloom and Operation TLC have pitched in to make a difference in recent years, but that still isn’t enough even.

This is an ongoing problem that will always be a struggle until we change the way people think and instill a sense of civic pride in more citizens.

Until then, it is time for each and every citizen to get involved and take some ownership of this problem and acknowledge that effort is the best solution.

If each and every person would take it upon themselves to clean up their own property and the public right-of-way immediately surrounding their property, this would be a very positive first step.

The second part is to just be aware and proactive when you see other problems.

Many dumping or litter problems go unnoticed or unreported for long periods of time.

If citizens will just take a few minutes to report problems to the appropriate authorities, whether that’s the solid waste district or the township or the county, this would at least provide some necessary information.

The solid waste district will continue to compile information about who is responsible and address the problem at its root.

Almost everyone does some spring cleaning at their home. Now is time for us all to expand the focus to include a little more than what is right outside the front door.