LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – State officials says it’s a spring event as predictable as the return of the robins, as volunteers hit the roadsides across lower Michigan beginning Saturday for the Michigan Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway litter clean-up.
The event in Lower Michigan on state highways is from April 5-13. The year’s first Adopt-A-Highway pickup for the Upper Peninsula will be May 10-18 once when spring has had more time to set in.
“Each year, our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers show their dedication to their communities by keeping the roadsides clean,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “These thousands of groups make a huge difference every year. Please help them stay safe while they’re out there. Stay alert for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods.”
The AAH program began in Michigan in 1990. Today, 35 years later, around 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway. Last year alone, these volunteers collected 36,000 bags of trash.
Volunteers pick up litter three times each year. Statewide, there will be a summer pickup from July 12 to 20 and a fall pickup from Sept. 20 to 28.
AAH groups wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations when working within a highway right of way. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash. Volunteers include members of various civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old, and each group must number at least three people.
Several landfills in southwestern Michigan are helping the program. Westside Landfill in St. Joseph County, C&C Landfill in Calhoun County, Orchard Hill Landfill in Berrien County, Southeast Berrien County Landfill near Niles, and Republic Services Gembrit Circle Transfer Station in Kalamazoo have all agreed to accept trash generated by the three annual AAH pickups at no charge.
In exchange, these businesses receive a sign recognizing their support.
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