Volunteers from individuals to members of lake associations, civic groups and other community organizations are already making plans for spring roadside clean-up projects.
Both the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Hubbard County sponsor Adopt-a-Highway programs for volunteers to pick up litter along Minnesota's highways.
The goal of the program is to allow environmentally conscious citizens to make a personal contribution to a cleaner environment.
Before volunteers head out, MnDOT asks organizers to make sure volunteers become familiar with safety information, but sometimes that step is overlooked either because the same volunteers have worked on ditch clean-up for years or are in a rush to get the job done.
Among the precautions, volunteers are reminded to take is to avoid meth lab wastes.
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While not as prevalent as they once were, meth labs are a concern in rural Minnesota especially.
Items to avoid include the following:
- Propane cylinders with brass fittings that are blue/green or modified,
- Medicine boxes,
- Pill residue (pinkish putty-like substance),
- Respirator masks,
- Rubber gloves,
- Rubber hoses and clamps,
- Sheets and pillowcases stained pink or red, or
- Corning or Pyrex containers with rubber hoses attached.
Volunteers who find any of these items are asked not to touch them and to report their location to MnDOT.
Volunteers also are reminded of the following safety precautions:
- Do not pick up weapons, hazardous materials or dead animals. Mark the location with a trash bag and report it to MnDOT.
- Do not put syringes or needles in the trash bag. They can easily puncture the bag and cause serious injury. Mark the location with a trash bag and report it to MnDOT. Do not crush collected trash to make more room in the bag; broken or jagged objects can cause injuries.
- Secure the bags by tying the ends. Place the bags just off the shoulder. Work only during daylight hours and during good weather. Do not work when roads are wet or when visibility is poor.
- Work one side of the road at a time. Do not cross the road to get to your vehicle.
- For your safety, it is imperative that motorists see you. Stay in a group and be constantly alert for approaching traffic.
- Do not wear headsets that could prevent you from hearing traffic or other hazards.
- Do not horse around or do anything to purposely distract drivers.
Under the MnDOT program, community groups agree to adopt a highway by picking up litter on both sides for at least two years.
Volunteers pick up litter as often as needed, usually two to three times a year - in the spring and the fall. MnDOT encourages spring pickup to be done in April or May before the grass grows.
MnDOT provides safety vests, trash bags and safety information, and after pickup MnDOT employees remove filled bags as well as large, heavy or hazardous items from the roadsides.
Participants must be 12 years old, unless specifically permitted. Those participants 18 years old or younger must have adequate adult supervision (at least one adult per three children under age 12).
Volunteers are encouraged to carpool to the site to reduce the number of vehicles along the road. Whenever possible, vehicles should be parked off the road, in parking lots or seldom-used approaches.
In addition to wearing safety vests, volunteers also are reminded to wear heavy gloves, heavy leather shoes or work boots with good ankle support, light-colored clothing and/or a brightly colored cap to help motorists see you and a hat and insect or tick repellent.
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For more information, go to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Web site at www.dot.state.mn.us .
