Adopt-a-Road

• Organize the volunteer group and garbage cleanup
• Provide safety vests, disposable rubber gloves, masks (for dust from moving traffic), litter cleanup equipment, safety information and trash bags
• Set up traffic control devices including road work signs, flags and traffic cones
• Not allow volunteer groups to work or walk on the travelled portion of the road or on the shoulder of the road
• Ensure the volunteer group is facing oncoming traffic
• Provide a medical or an emergency first aid kit in the event of minor cuts or abrasions including Band-aids, disinfectants, etc.
• Monitor to ensure the objectives of the program are being met
• Remove, or arrange to remove, large or hazardous items that are found during the cleanup
• Remove and dispose of filled trash bags and recycled material after the litter cleanup event is complete
• Suspend litter cleanup when weather conditions become inclement (i.e., fog, rain, drizzle, high wind, electrical storms, etc.)

Volunteering has many benefits:

• Contribute to a cleaner and more beautiful York Region
• Help the environment and wildlife 
• Connect with other community-minded citizens 
• Enjoy the outdoors and get active 
• Enhance teamwork and organization skills 

Are volunteers recognized?

Volunteers are recognized with their business or community group name on a road sign near the cleanup location. The groups’ name will be displayed at the beginning of each adopted section of the road unless the placement of the road signs doesn’t meet safety and Regional policies.

• A volunteer group supervisor must be chosen
• Volunteers can only clean up litter during daylight hours (between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset)  
• The group must commit to pick-up litter at least once over a two-year period   
• Individuals under the age of 12 may only participate with adult supervision 
• Obey and abide by all laws and regulations related to safety and follow the terms and conditions as required by the Region
• Do not bring pets to the cleanup event
• Not possess or consume illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages immediately before or during the cleanup
• Wear clothing that will not impair vision or the ability to move freely during the cleanup
• Not wear attire that might divert motorists’ attention
• Travel to the cleanup location and park vehicles as far away from the road as possible and ensure no one remains in a parked vehicle during the cleanup event
• Wear Region provided gear, which includes a safety vest, rubber gloves and mask (for dust from moving traffic), at all times during the cleanup and return vests and litter pickers to a road operations staff member at the completion of the event
• Collect litter only from the right-of-way sections of the road the group has chosen to clean up
• Not to pick up litter on the road surface, paved or gravel shoulders, medians, bridges, tunnels, overpasses or around other structures or locations that could pose a danger
• Notify staff to clean up and dispose of closed containers, heavy objects or suspected hazardous materials
• Give any valuable items (wallets, purses, cameras, etc.) that are found on Regional property to the nearest police station
• Ensure no signs, posters, or other display materials are brought to the cleanup event

Besides following volunteer responsibilities, supervisors must also:

• Give 48 hours' notice prior to beginning a litter cleanup and have made the necessary arrangements with York Region
• Ensure required equipment is available and supplied
• Review safety procedures with the group prior to arriving at the cleanup event
• Keep the group together and orderly
• Know what to do in case of emergency, and where the nearest hospital is located
• Know the physical capabilities of all group members
• Supervise periodic breaks and provide refreshments (non-alcoholic)
• Organize carpool and departure times