REMEMBER TO "COVER YOUR LOAD" DURING WINDY SEASON Rio Rancho/Farmington/Hobbs - Waste Management urges movers to "cover your load" when bringing debris to the landfill for disposal. Each year, more than 40 million people move in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than half of these people move within the same county, which means they often move themselves with trucks and trailers to a new home. To prevent accidental litter from blowing out of trucks and trailers when making a drop-off at the landfill, Waste Management reminds drivers to properly cover and secure trailers and trucks with a tarp. "It's important that your trailer or truck bed be completely covered with a sturdy tarp and secured with bungee cords or rope," says Marlene Feuer, Government Affairs Manager for Waste Management. "Besides keeping litter from blowing out of the trailer, the well-secured tarp also keeps items from accidentally falling out." Waste Management reminds drivers that covering your load is not only the right thing to do, it's the law, says Feuer. The Vehicle Code, as well as Waste Management, requires vehicles be properly equipped to prevent loose material from escaping by blowing or spilling. Feuer provides the following "Cover Your Load" tips: Use a tarp big enough to completely cover your trailer or truck bed - a minimum of four inches should overlap the sides, front and back of your load Tightly secure the tarp with ropes and/or bungee cords A tarp is not required if the debris is completely enclosed by a load-carrying compartment Make sure your truck or trailer bed does not have a hole, crack or other opening where debris can escape Before leaving the landfill, remove any loose material that may remain in the trailer or truck bed Tobacco products and food-related items make up more than half of the trash on New Mexico highways. As people move this summer, we hope they remember our theme this year - 'Real New Mexicans Don't Litter'," says Feuer. "We want New Mexicans to keep trash in their vehicles, so that all neighborhoods and the streets around them are clean and litter-free. No one wants to move to a neighborhood cluttered with litter." Waste Management, New Mexico Inc. is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in New Mexico.