When volunteers step up to clean parks, trails, or roadsides, visibility is more than just a nice-to-have — it’s a matter of safety. Whether you’re working near traffic, in wooded areas, or alongside other groups, standing out helps protect your team and ensures the public recognizes your efforts.
That’s why most community cleanup programs provide volunteers with high-visibility vests. But here’s the big question: should your team wear orange or yellow (often called lime-green) vests? Both colors are popular, both are safety-approved, and both have their strengths. Let’s take a closer look.
The Purpose of High-Visibility Vests
High-visibility vests are designed to make wearers stand out in any environment. They’re usually made with bright fluorescent colors and reflective tape to ensure visibility in both daylight and low-light conditions.
- For volunteer groups, vests are essential when:
- Working near roads and sidewalks.
- In fact, it’s required to wear a ANSI/ISEA Class II reflective vest when working along roadsides!
- Cleaning up in parks or wooded areas where visibility can be obstructed.
- Keeping volunteers identifiable to coordinators, law enforcement, or the public.
In the U.S., safety vests often meet ANSI/ISEA standards, which means they’re tested for brightness and reflectivity. Both orange and yellow vests can meet these standards — the key is choosing the right color for your setting.
The Case for Orange Vests
Orange vests are widely associated with construction workers, flaggers, and highway crews. They send an immediate signal of caution and work in progress.
Why volunteers choose orange:
- High contrast in nature: Orange stands out against green grass, trees, dirt, and foliage.
- Psychological association: Drivers and passersby often connect orange with warning signs, making them more alert.
- Less blending: Yellow-green vests can sometimes fade into grassy or wooded backgrounds, while orange remains bold and clear.
- Best for: Park cleanups, trail maintenance, and volunteer events in natural environments.
The Case for Yellow (Lime-Green) Vests
Yellow — often called “safety green” or lime — is the most common high-visibility color. It’s particularly effective in urban environments where there’s concrete, asphalt, or low light.
Why volunteers choose yellow:
- Great in low light: Lime-yellow is highly reflective under headlights and streetlamps.
- Stands out on pavement: Strong contrast against gray or blacktop makes volunteers more visible to drivers.
- Widely recognized: Many municipalities and DOTs standardize lime vests for roadside work, making them a familiar sight.
- Best for: Roadside cleanups, city projects, or evening events where artificial light is a factor.
Factors That Influence the Best Choice
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The best vest color for your volunteers depends on:
- Environment: Orange for wooded/green areas, yellow for urban/concrete settings.
- Time of day: Yellow is better at night or dusk, orange excels in bright daylight.
- Volunteer audience: Younger volunteers or students may find one color easier to spot in a crowd.
- Blend factor: Consider what natural or manmade colors are already dominant in your cleanup location.
Some organizations even keep both colors on hand and assign them based on the project site.
Best Practices for Volunteer Groups
Choose ANSI-certified vests. These meet brightness and reflectivity standards for maximum safety.
Equip for the environment. Don’t hesitate to stock both orange and yellow if your team works in diverse locations.
Think beyond vests. Gloves, hats, and tools can also increase safety and efficiency.
And while vests make volunteers visible, the right tools make their work safer and easier. That’s where the Orang-U-Tongs Standard reacher comes in. Built for durability, comfort, and long-term use, it helps volunteers avoid sharp, dirty, or hard-to-reach litter while reducing bending and fatigue.
Conclusion
Both orange and yellow vests do an excellent job of keeping volunteers visible. Orange stands out in nature and triggers caution in the public eye, while yellow excels in urban and low-light settings. The best choice depends on where and when your volunteers are working.
At the end of the day, the safest cleanup crews are the ones who combine high-visibility vests with the right tools. Whether your team is out on city streets or local trails, pairing bright safety vests with the Orang-U-Tongs Standard will keep your volunteers both visible and effective.
