How to Plan a Cleanup in Nova Scotia

Now that the snow is almost all gone, we see what has been left behind – the mounds of garbage (not to mention dog poop!)

Why not organize a spring cleanup with your organization, neighbourhood or family?

I am in the process of organizing one for our community and learned some interesting tips that I thought I would pass along.

Clean Nova Scotia has the Great Pick-Me-Up Program

The Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up is Nova Scotia’s biggest volunteer-driven community clean-up program, promoting litter clean-ups across the province.

In 2014, over 18,000 people participated in nearly 300 clean-ups. They filled up around 7,000 garbage bags and almost 700 recycling bags.

Litter is an eyesore, poses health risks, affects water quality, and is often mistaken as food for wildlife.

Studies show that litter begets litter, meaning people tend to litter in areas where there is already garbage on the ground.

If you are planning a group clean up, register yours through Clean Nova Scotia.

Go online and fill out the date, time and location of your event. Then, you will receive a package in the mail. In fact, mine arrived 2 days later!

Inside were garbage and recycling bags, a t-shirt, posters, and a handbook about conducting a cleanup, and the necessary safety precautions.

Included is a data sheet, so when you are finished collecting, you can fill out what kind of garbage you collected, and return this to Clean Nova Scotia for their statistics.

Then, what do you do about the garbage?
I contacted Valley Waste (who told me about the Clean Nova Scotia Program) and told me that if groups are conducting a waste pick up, there are few things that they can do with the garbage.

In the past when we’ve done it, we’ve put it out with our regular garbage collection. However, if you have more than that, contact Valley Waste directly.

For General Inquiries: info@vwrm.com
Tel: 679-1325 Toll-free: 1-877-927-8300

I was told that Valley Waste can either pick-up the materials when you are done or they can send you a letter that you can present to the scale house and get the tipping fees waived.

Please note! If you do want the tipping fee exemption, you need to give Valley Waste a week or so notice advance so that they can make the arrangements.

So, grab a pair of gloves and some friends and make a difference in your community. No excuses!