Adopt a Highway: Why you should join our hosted cleanup

Keeping Arizona roadways grand is no small task for ADOT maintenance crews who work continuously to remove trash and unsafe debris from along state highways. Volunteer groups located around the state supplement that work, conducting highway litter cleanups with family and friends.

Volunteers filled more than 15,000 bags, with trash deposited onto roadways in 2023. That is about 103 tons of plastic water bottles, cigarette butts, beer cans, construction trash and other unsecured items lost or tossed from vehicles.

We are grateful for the support of these 850 volunteer groups and the 8,645 individual volunteers who chose this method to help reduce unsightly trash in their community. A big thank you to those who requested a one-day cleanup when a two-year permit was not an option.

While Adopt a Highway permits are for two-years and require cleanups several times per year, permit technicians will work to find an adoptable area suitable for a one-day gathering of volunteers to reduce litter. ADOT provides bags and vests for volunteer groups.

In fact, to call attention to National Volunteer Week ADOT is hosting a special highway cleanup from 6-9 a.m. Monday, April 22, in the vicinity of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. Volunteers 12-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you'd like to join us, pleaseregisterby 5 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 18. A program representative will contact you to confirm your attendance and provide the details you'll need to participate.

Thank you to our volunteers for the positive impact you make on the environment and for causing travelers to smile while they enjoy scenery. If you want to immediately increase the beauty of Arizona by reducing the spread of trash into wildlife areas and waterways, this type of volunteer work may be your calling. Please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway.

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