Student campaigning against highway litter

By PHILIP ENGLISH

Outdoor leadership student Angelene Dryland is so offended by the amount of rubbish along New Zealand highways that she will run the length of the country to raise litter awareness.

Backed by a support team, she plans to start the long run from Bluff on November 15, catch a Cook Strait ferry on December 16 and then continue the jog to reach Cape Reinga by January 30.

Ms Dryland, of Hamilton, believes that while some littering is a result of carelessness, much of the packaging found along roads is dumped on purpose.

"You also see bits of cars and fridges and freezers, and all sorts of appliances and things so it's not just packaging.

"Everybody can help play their part. If they are out walking they can pick up what they see or encourage people not to throw things out there in the first place."

Ms Dryland is considering starting a petition to encourage authorities to keep roadsides clean.

But as she runs the length of the country, she will resist the temptation to fill up rubbish bags - if she did that her run could last several years.

After the run, Ms Dryland, at present a student at the Whenua Iti Outdoor Pursuits Centre near Motueka, will start a job as an instructor at the Outward Bound School at Anakiwa.

Her email address is: dangelene@hotmail.com