Devin Throw insisted on taking home with him all the trash collected from a recent Earth Day cleanup along Waverly Road in Porter.
Then, Throw, 17, who is a rising senior at Chesterton High School, spent days cataloging the 1,778 pieces of trash that altogether weighed 128.7 pounds.
There was a lot of potential data generated with that trash. And Throw, one of the student members of Porter’s Environmental Sustainability Commission, believed that it was worth his time to analyze it.
So, Throw stood before the Porter Town Council on Tuesday to deliver the report and conclusions of the study presented on behalf of the Environmental Sustainability Commission.
“This data is incredibly important for our small town because it gives a rare, detailed snapshot of community behavior, environmental impact and public health indicators, all through the lens of garbage,” Throw said.
The April 26 cleanup was conducted by a volunteer crew on a 0.44-mile stretch of Waverly Road between U.S. 20 and 12. It is a road traveled by those heading to Porter Beach and the Dune Park Station for the South Shore Line.
A closer examination revealed that 33.8 pounds of the trash — 26% — consisted of items that could have been recycled. That included discarded losing lottery tickets, likely purchased from the gas station at the corner of U.S. 20 and Waverly Road.
Then there were the hazardous items. Some in the council chambers recoiled when Throw told about the three bottles of urine.
A nitrous oxide dispenser, lighter with fluid and vape cartridge with liquid were also recovered. Empty liquor bottles and beer cans were other items that could be associated with the potential impairment of participants.
Throw noted that car parts, found scattered along the ditches and roadside, also could be potentially connected to impairment issues.
“Litter evidence helps to identify hot zones for public intoxication and impaired driving,” Throw said.
Fire risks are also raised by paper trash on the roadside that could be easily ignited by a discarded burning cigarette, Throw said.
Throw outlined many potential strategies for the town.
Public education efforts that would encourage recycling and give incentives for neighborhoods to conduct cleanups would help, Throw said.
The town could strengthen its littering and dumping ordinance, particularly specific language concerning hazardous waste, chemicals and building materials that leak toxins into the ground.
Throw also suggested that motion-sensor trail cameras be installed to monitor troubled areas. Police could also step up patrols of illegal dumping hot spots.
The town could use the data from the report to help apply for environmental, safety and mental health program grants.
“I can’t do that (apply for a grant), but I am willing to get my hands in some garbage,” Throw said.
The town could also place garbage bins at natural entry/exit points for pedestrian traffic along with signs that discourage littering. A part-time employee or volunteer could monitor the trouble spots, Throw said.
As a practical suggestion, the town could promote a “one bag a month” pledge from those willing to collect that much roadside trash within that time period. Throw said if even 100 people participated, that would be 1,200 bags per year.
“The 0.44-mile stretch of land is more than just a mess — it’s a mirror reflecting environmental neglect, substance use and gaps in infrastructure,” Throw said. “With this data, we can make the town of Porter more sustainable and successful, saving the environment, money and stress that could arise in the future.”
Council President Laura Madigan, D-1st, said that the town’s department heads should look to see what possible ways some of the report’s recommendations could be implemented.
Michael Barry, the town’s development director/building superintendent, noted that some of Throw’s findings were “shocking” and that his report is “impressive.”
Those who have spent more time around Throw aren’t surprised. Tara Duffie, chair of the Environmental Sustainability Commission, has served with Throw and recalls how he stated at the commission’s first meeting: “I want to change the world.”
Duffie said that Throw, as his first assignment, took on cataloging every crack in sidewalks around Porter.
“He just adds so much value to the team,” Duffie said.
Duffie noted that Throw also is on the school’s track team and works at Dog Days Ice Cream Parlor in Chesterton.
“He’s a super smart kid, but he also cares a lot,” Duffie said.
Daniel Paff enjoyed having Throw in his AP Environmental Science class this year at Chesterton High School.
“He’s definitely in a class of his own when it comes to engagement in environmental issues,” Paff said. “He’s definitely civically engaged as well.”
Paff recalls how Throw brought to his attention an article about how pineapple waste products can be turned into soaps and detergents.
“I love it as a teacher when a student finds things they are passionate about and shares,” Paff said.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
