Bill Riley Communities Litter Crew has participated in the Adopt-a-Highway program since April 2005. They have adopted SR512 from Canyon Road to 94th Avenue. Mile Post 6 to 8.
See more photos...Approximately 1,400 volunteer groups are actively involved in WSDOT's Adopt-a-Highway program
Over 5,000 shoulder miles are cleaned up by volunteer groups - that's about one-third of Washington highway shoulders
Over 460 Washington volunteer groups have kept their adopted sections for more than 10 years
Approximately 600 tons of litter are removed from Washington roads every year- that's more than 38 million aluminum cans!
Businesses, clubs, fraternal organizations and schools are the most common volunteer groups. Other groups are from churches and families or are even individual citizens.
Thousands of miles of roadway statewide are available for adoption
What is Adopt-a-Highway?
The Adopt-a-Highway program is an anti-litter and roadside clean up campaign intended to promote pride and local ownership in Washington State. Signs are located on roadways statewide, recognizing the many volunteers that spend time picking up litter on the roadside.
The Adopt a Highway program:
- Keeps the state clean
- Helps taxpayers save money by having volunteers pick up litter, rather than paid work crew
- Reminds people not to litter
How does it work?
Participating volunteer groups agree to clean up the "adopted" highway section four times each year. WSDOT supplies litter bags and safety materials for volunteer groups.
Businesses who choose to sponsor an adopted highway section agree to have a contractor clean the area six times each year. This can be the roadside, median or interchange.
Typically, the volunteer-assigned sections are two miles of roadside. Participant safety is the primary concern, and sections are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. WSDOT maintains a waiting list for the more popular areas. Six to eight weeks after participants sign an adoption agreement, WSDOT installs a highway sign along the adopted highway section to recognize the group or business.
Within seven days after a litter pick up, volunteer participants are required to send in an activity report describing the hours worked and the number of litter bags picked up. This report secures medical insurance and alerts WSDOT crews to pick up and dispose of litter bags. The designated “group leader” contacts the local WSDOT coordinator with any questions.
If you would like information on how to adopt a Washington highway, please contact your local area coordinator. The coordinator can help with the agreement form if your or your group decides to get involved.
Why Adopt?
Washington is the Evergreen State- and we want to keep it that way. The condition of Washington State roads is a reflection on us, the people who live here. Adopting a highway shows pride in the state and it’s a great way to show that you and your organization care.
Litter is not only unattractive; it can be a traffic hazard if it blows into the view of drivers on the highway. Litter is also harmful to the environment. Did you know it takes over one million years for plastic and Styrofoam containers to decompose?
You can get involved in Adopt-a-Highway with your business, club, organization, school, religious group or family. For more information, contact your local coordinator.