MOHAVE COUNTY – Arizona Department of Transportation volunteers answered the call to participate on National Clean Up Day, Sept. 18, by removing more than 150 bags (or 2,053 pounds) of trash from alongside Arizona’s highways. 

40 groups from all corners of the state: Page, Yuma, Concho, Vernon, Show Low, Prescott, Chino Valley, Congress, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Tucson, Bouse, Claypool, Sahuarita and Bullhead City, registered with ADOT for the event on the Adopt a Highway website. 

Adopt a Highway Program Manager Mary Currie said, “It’s a win for communities and the state of Arizona. One-day permits offer volunteers a way to explore one type of volunteer work among many, and to be a part of the litter solution. They get first-hand experience on the process for adopting and how to conduct a litter cleanup safely. Our experience has been that some of these groups decide to complete the adoption for two-years and become regular caregivers of their segment.”

More than half of the groups registering for the cleanup were new volunteers interested in participating for one day rather than a two-year adoption.

Every day, Adopt a Highway program volunteers are giving back to Arizona somewhere in the state. ADOT strives to make it as safe and as easy as possible for them to continue volunteering. These individual volunteers made a positive impact for drivers on the state highway system by removing all types of litter, including cigarette butts, plastic bags and bottles, aluminum cans, and other unsightly trash. Car bumpers and refrigerator doors were also found along the way which is a very dangerous type of trash for travelers.

In return for a two-year permit and a sign recognizing their group’s segment, Adopt a Highway volunteers agree to:

• Adopt a minimum of two miles of state highway
• Always wear Federal Highway Administration required ANSI Class II Safety vests
• Read a safety brief and watch a safety video before each cleanup
• Contact ADOT before cleaning up their sections
• File an activity report after each cleanup, telling ADOT how many bags of litter was collected
• Clean their sections at least once and preferably three or more times per year

Motorists can support Adopt a Highway volunteers by slowing down where people are picking up litter and always driving with extra caution and care. To learn more about ADOT’s Adopt a Highway volunteer program, please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway.