BALTIMORE (May 17, 1999) – With a focus on truck safety and environmental and public nuisance issues that result from the transportation of waste, Maryland again has joined New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in conducting an interstate "Trashnet," beginning today through Friday, May 21, to crack down on illegal and unsafe waste vehicles.

The Trashnet will involve several inspection locations throughout all of the participating states, where trucks hauling waste will be stopped and checked for truck safety and environmental protection. Officials from the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Maryland
Department of the Environment, and local police departments will conduct inspections in Maryland.

Officials from participating states have met over the past several months to share information on municipal waste management issues, including the interstate transportation of municipal waste. A concern shared by all of them is truck safety, as are environmental and public nuisance issues that result from the transportation of waste.

The last Trashnet took place February 8 through 10. More than 3,800 trucks were inspected in the region.  Approximately 650 trucks were inspected in Maryland and 759 violation notices were issued.  Routine truck inspections prior to the first Trashnet found that a disproportionate number of waste-hauling vehicles are overweight, have numerous safety violations, have significant driver violations and cause damage to local highways that are not designed to accommodate these vehicles. The results of the first Trashnet substantiated that assessment.

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