Heaps of trash illegally dumped onto sidewalks and front lawns could be seen in the Southeast Como neighborhood as residence turnover rates reached their highest numbers last week. Items included food, furniture, paint cans and electronics.

The Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA) launched its Solid Waste Reduction and Reuse Project last week to find out why garbage is accumulating and how to facilitate its reuse. SECIA was awarded the 2009 Environmental Assistance Grant — a total of $25,000 in funds over a two year period — by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to fund its community-wide recycling program. Grants are awarded each year for projects that focus on pollution prevention, recycling, environmental education and sustainable development.

Southeast Como environmental coordinator Justin Eibenholzl said the grant was competitive and only five out of 59 local organizations won the award. . .