Press release
from N.C. DOT
The N.C. Department of Transportation is teaming up with local volunteers to clean up roadsides statewide in the 2012 fall Litter Sweep, scheduled for Sept. 15-29.
During the 2012 spring Litter Sweep, volunteers removed more than 1.5 million pounds of roadside litter. “Local volunteers are essential to the fight against litter, and Litter Sweep is the perfect opportunity for North Carolinians to get involved in cleaning up their communities,” said Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. “This biannual cleanup is a great example of how we can work together to enhance and protect the natural beauty of the state we call home.”
Litter Sweep volunteers will be joined by NCDOT maintenance crews, Adopt-A-Highway groups, N.C. Department of Correction inmate crews and community service workers during the fall Litter Sweep.
Additionally, the N.C. State Highway Patrol will be on alert and policing the roads for motorists with unsecured loads and others that intentionally and unintentionally litter. Littering is an illegal offense, and the Highway Patrol issues more than 1,500 citations annually for unsecured loads and littering. Upon conviction, a defendant can be fined up to $2,000, receive a point on their driver license and be sentenced to community service work. Fines can double upon a second conviction.
Interested Litter Sweep volunteers should contact their local NCDOT county maintenance office to obtain cleanup supplies. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are required to watch a safety video and wear safety gear. Volunteer safety is the number one priority, and NCDOT appreciates that all volunteers take extra precaution to participate safely in all cleanups this fall.
Litter Sweep participants are encouraged to keep an eye out for unique litter items they may encounter during cleanup for entry in the annual Unusual Litter contest, sponsored by Keep NC Beautiful. Cash prizes are awarded for winning entries. For details about the contest and an entry form, visit the Keep NC Beautiful website.
The bi-annual Litter Sweeps are administered by the NCDOT Office of Beautification. For more information, call 1-800-331-5864 or visit the Office of Beautification website and click on “Litter Sweep.” Volunteers can also receive information and updates by following NCDOT on , visiting the department’s Facebook page or viewing videos about Litter Sweep on YouTube.
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