Everyone knows they shouldn’t litter, but there are still some who ignore the message or overlook the impact of what may seem like small or unnoticeable actions.
Litter accumulates. It’s ugly. The culmination of small transgressions by litterers – even those that happen by accident – looks bad in our community. One piece of litter turns to two, then three, and more. We are each responsible to stop litter before it starts.
The only place litter belongs is in a garbage can, organics or recycling bin. If there isn’t a bin close by, take it with you. Don’t leave it for another person (or animal) to pick up.
How to get involved
If you would like to help clean-up litter in your neighbourhood, all you have to do is select an area you would like to clean, gather a group of people (friends, family, coworkers, schoolmates, etc.) and register for one of the programs below.
Please Review COVID-19 Safety Precautions
IMPORTANT: If you wish to register for the Great Nova Scotia Pick Me Up, please review the COVID-19 safety precautions to help keep community volunteers safe and healthy during community clean ups.
The Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up
The Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Adopt-A-Highway program and supported in part by the municipality.
Your group will be provided with a free kit that includes clear garbage bags, blue recycling bags and a leaflet outlining disposal procedures.
Please note that registration has closed as of November 15, 2020. Registration will open again in the spring of 2021.
How to dispose of the litter you collect
Garbage and recycling can be disposed of by dividing it between participants and placing it curbside with your household waste. This material will count towards the current limit 6 garbage bags per single unit household and sorting rules still apply. There is no limit for the amount of recyclables you can put out for collection.
Participants are also encouraged to deliver collected garbage directly to the Otter Lake Waste Facility. If your event is registered in the Pick-Me-Up program, your tipping fees will be waived. Please email HRM staff at wasteless@halifax.ca to make drop off arrangements.
If neither of these options can be accommodated by your group, please contact 311 for assistance.
Adopt-A-Highway
Adopt-A-Highway groups commit to cleaning a five km section of secondary highway or a 100 series highway interchange/exit, twice per year. Groups must be registered with the program and obtain a permit before conducting a clean-up.
To register your group with this program, please provide your information here. Further details can be found on their website.