Volunteer provincial highway cleanup planned for May 4

Young volunteers will be part of cleanup efforts on provincial roadways during the 37th annual Highway Cleanup Event on Saturday, May 4, between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Motorists will see safety-vest clad youths and adults picking up debris along roadsides across the province, while they earn funds to support their community and volunteer organizations. In the event of inclement weather, the cleanup will be held the following Saturday, May 11.


Last year, $853,800 was provided by the Alberta government through this program to 566 volunteer organizations. In all, 13,400 Albertans helped clean up nearly 10,000 kilometres of roadways. Many organizations are involved in this annual event, including 4-H Clubs, Scouts, Girl Guides, Rotary Clubs and sports teams, as well as smaller, non-profits groups. All participating groups must be registered with the province as non-profit organizations. Payments range from $55 to $100 per kilometer cleaned, with the higher amount going to those groups cleaning highways closer to larger centres which tend to have more trash accumulated.

Motorists are urged to slow down, obey signs and be on the lookout when passing clean-up crews to help ensure the safety of all. Participants, who will all wear bright orange safety vests while working, must be at least nine years old, attend a safety training program and be under adult supervision.

The highway cleanup is held annually on the first or second Saturday in May, as weather permits. Established as a fundraiser for non-profit and community groups, the program also helps keep Alberta’s highways clean and safe by removing garbage from rights-of-way.

Up-to-date road information, including traffic delays, is a click or a call away. Call 5-1-1 toll-free, visit 511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.