There are many dedicated groups and agencies that make it their business to keep Lawrence County a clean and beautiful place to live and work.

But it seems for each person who picks up one piece of litter, there are dozens more who undermine that effort when they toss trash out of their car windows, dump on private property or fill recycling bins with household waste.

Thankfully, the Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District is sending the message that litter won’t be tolerated and those who try to skirt the law will be held accountable.

So far this year, the solid waste district has investigated more than 100 cases of dumping and littering. Many of the worst offenders were featured this week in an article in The Tribune.

Cases of open dumping and littering are not ignored and will be investigated by the solid waste district, so unless you want fines, probation, community service, restitution costs and possibly jail time, keep refuse where it belongs — in a trashcan or licensed landfill.

When in doubt of what can legally be placed in a recycling bin like the ones at Wal-Mart and Foodfair, check the bins. The accepted items are listed right on the bins. If it’s not listed, do not put it in the bin.

We all have to do our part to keep the community clean. If all would clean up after themselves, the county would sparkle.