Dart Container continues its commitment to keeping Michigan’s highways clean

4/22/2015 9:07:18 AM

For the fifth consecutive year, Dart is participating in Michigan’s Adopt-A-Highway program

Mason, Michigan – Dart Container has announced that through their participation in Michigan’s Adopt-A-Highway program, enough litter to fill 64trash bags has been cleaned from Michigan’s Highway 127. Dart volunteers, including employees, friends, and family donated their time to this very important cause.

“This is a special event for all of us at Dart because it gives us an opportunity to give back. So often we just go through the motions of our everyday life, but when you’re out on the highway, you are able to witness the positive impact we can all make,” said Dianne Norton, Human Resources Assistant for Dart Container. “It is because of the hard work and commitment of our employees, friends and families that our adopted area remains one of the cleanest on the highway.”

2015 marks Dart’s fifth year participating in Michigan’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Every year since 2010, Dart volunteers in both the spring and fall, adopt the same two-mile section of Highway 127 between Cedar Street Exchange and Railroad Bridge. Last year, Dart volunteers collected 102 bags of litter, 72 bags from the spring cleanup and 30bags from the fall cleanup.

“As a resident of Michigan, I feel it is my responsibility to do what I can to help make my community shine, and sometimes that means getting my hands dirty by picking up litter,” said Ashley Stovall, Environmental Services Specialist. “It’s a fun event, and we all take pride in our stretch of Highway 127.”

The volunteers separate the foam when they pick, including dirty take-out food containers, which go to Dart’s Mason Plant Recycling Center to be processed, recycled, and eventually become products like crown molding and picture frames.

“It is always so great to see so many of our colleagues, friends and family members helping us make the highway cleaner,” said Cheryl Schmidt, Environmental Services Specialist. “People often think they can't make a difference in their communities, but this proves that they can. I encourage more businesses and individuals to get involved in this program.”

Volunteers underwent detailed training prior to the cleanup, which addressed both highway safety and proper handling of litter. Learn more about Michigan’s Adopt-A-Highway program.