This release was issued under a previous government.
“Each spring, thousands of volunteers help keep Alberta roadways clean while earning funds to support their non-profit organizations. This is a great example of Albertans—young and old—working together to build a better province.”
Motorists will see volunteers wearing safety vests picking up garbage along roadsides across the province as they earn money for their community organizations. In the event of bad weather, the cleanup will take place the following Saturday, May 10.
Last year, the Alberta government contributed $904,970 to 618 volunteer organizations with 147,000 volunteers helping to clean up more than 10,500 kilometres of Alberta roadways.
Volunteer organizations involved in the event include 4-H clubs, Scouts, Girl Guides, Rotary clubs, sports teams and various non-profit groups. Groups must be registered with the province as non-profit organizations to participate.
Organizations can earn between $55 and $100 per kilometre cleaned, with the higher amount going to those groups cleaning highways closer to urban centres which tend to have more trash accumulated.
For the safety of everyone, motorists are asked to slow down, obey signs and be cautious when passing cleanup crews. Volunteers will be wearing bright orange safety vests. They must be at least nine years old, attend a safety training program and be under adult supervision.
The annual highway cleanup was established as a fundraiser for non-profit and community organizations and to help clean up provincial highway right-of-ways. The event is held each year on the first or second Saturday of May, depending on weather.