P.E.I. roadside cleanup set for Saturday

The P.E.I. Womens Institute is encouraging people of all ages to participate in the annual roadside cleanup Saturday so its not just granny in the ditch.

P.E.I. Women's Institute hoping for more young volunteers

Shane Ross CBC News Posted: May 14, 2016 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 14, 2016

The P.E.I. Women's Institute roadside cleanup is in its 43rd year. Participants can win a prize of $100 this year. (Submitted by P.E.I. Women's Institute)

The P.E.I. Women's Institute is encouraging people of all ages to participate in the annual roadside cleanup Saturday so it's not just "granny in the ditch."

The women have been organizing the spring event for the past 43 years. Anyone can participate, and they are hoping for another large turnout with some new, younger faces. They've sent out invitations to schools, Girl Guides, 4-H clubs as well as the 80 branches of the women's institutefrom across the Island.

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"It's physically challenging, most branches figure out who is more able," said Chris Ortenburger, one of the organizers.

"It's not just granny in the ditch."

Volunteers can collect litter anywhere and place bags by the roadside. The Department of Transportation (not WasteWatch) or city public works will collect the bags. Bags are free at Island Waste Management facilities until 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Clear bags are also acceptable.

Volunteers get a lot of satisfaction from the cleanup, Ortenburger said, especially this time of year when the grass turns green and the Island landscape becomes awash in vibrant colours.

You hear from tourists, especially from the U.S., about how tidy it is. Chris Ortenburger of PEIWI

"You hear from tourists, especially from the U.S., about how tidy it is," she said.

Much of the garbage is what Ortenburger calls "misdirected trash," something that blows away and lands in the ditch. And though the number of coffee cups, pop cans and cigarette wrappers found along the roads are a sign people are still littering, she said, that is changing as people, especially the younger generation, become more environmentally conscious.

"We were lamenting the litter the other day and one of our older members said, 'You should see what kids are learning in school,' so we're hopeful for the future."

And even more hopeful some of those kids will help in the cleanup on Saturday.