News release

Highway Clean-up Campaign Has Begun

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

Hundreds of kilometres of Nova Scotia highways are getting their annual spring cleaning now that the province's 2011 Adopt-A-Highway program has begun.

The program co-ordinates the efforts of volunteers who pick up trash alongside roadways. Last year, 1,300 volunteers cleaned along 542 kilometres of highways and nine interchanges. They gathered 3,102 bags of garbage and 187 bags of recyclable material.

"Adopt-A-Highway volunteers have been making Nova Scotia highways look better since 1992," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks.

"When you see these dedicated volunteers working beside our highways please slow down and be extra cautious. Volunteers wear fluorescent orange safety vests, but they may be close to the road's driving surface as they pick up litter."

"We think our volunteers are amazing," said Gina Bain, co-ordinator, Adopt-A-Highway program. "There is great diversity among our groups, which range from a lone individual, to service groups, families or co-workers. They enjoy the camaraderie they feel while working together to help their community and the environment."

Adopt-A-Highway is an internationally renowned roadside litter cleanup program. More information is available on the group's website at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/wi/projects/adopt.shtml .