RALEIGH ó The N.C. Department of Transportation is preparing for its 2008 Spring Litter Sweep, which will be held Saturday, April 19, through Saturday, May 3. During the statewide litter sweep, state maintenance crews, Adopt-A-Highway groups, N.C. Department of Correction inmate crews, community service workers and other volunteers will take to the highways to remove roadside litter.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Beautification Programs coordinates the work of volunteers from Adopt-A-Highway groups, garden clubs, civic groups and other community organizations during the two-week cleanup. Those who want to participate are asked to contact their local county maintenance office in advance for supplies such as safety vests, gloves and orange trash bags.
The N.C. State Highway Patrol will also be on alert and policing the roadways for those who litter during the sweep or have unsecured loads. Littering is an illegal, fineable offense that can entail community service work and a point on the offender’s driver’s license upon conviction. Fines can cost up to $2,000 and may double upon a second conviction.
Participants are reminded to warm up by stretching before picking up litter and to drink plenty of water during the cleanup.
A second litter sweep is also held in the fall of each year during the last two weeks of September.
For more information about Litter Sweep, call 1-800-331-5864 or visit the Office of Beautification Program’s Web site at www.ncdot .org/~beautification and click on “Litter Sweep.”