A handful of Nesquehoning organizations and residents gathered Tuesday along Route 209 to help clean up the world.

As part of the Earth Day efforts, members of Nesquehoning Borough Council, historical society, the Panther Valley Blueprint Community Team, Carbon County Animal Shelter, Macaluso’s Restaurant, borough residents and Nesquehoning police worked together to clean up approximately 1.5 miles of Route 209 between Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe.

“It was amazing what was discovered down there,” Councilwoman Lois Kuba said, pointing out that about 200 yards from the Orthodox cemetery there is evidence of dumping, based on the number of tires and furniture left there.

“It looks like easily 20 tires or better,” she said. “It’s clear people are dumping.”

Kuba and Councilwoman Lisa Shubeck, who was also at the cleanup, said that it was astounding to see just what people are dumping along area roadways.

Shubeck said that in addition to trash, tires and furniture, they also found drug paraphernalia, as well as old bottles.

The pair thanked all who came out for the cleanup.

All items were bagged and piled and then picked up by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Those involved in the cleanup were then treated to breakfast back at Macaluso’s.