How do I sign up to Adopt-a-Highway?
Contact your local coordinator. The coordinator will send you more information, including an agreement and registration forms that you can then mail in if you decide to participate.
How often are we asked to clean up our section?
This depends on the area’s traffic flow and the amount of litter expected. Usually groups are asked to pick up litter two to six times a year. This will be outlined in your agreement with the Department of Transportation.
Can we landscape our section of the highway?
This is not included in standard volunteer or sponsor agreements. Contact your local coordinator if you’d like to do more, since some types of activities can be added to your agreement.
When and where do we get the equipment (hats, vests, signs, etc.)?
This again depends on your location. Some WSDOT offices have volunteers pick up equipment before their first time picking up litter and hold onto the equipment, other offices loan the equipment for the duration of a litter pickup only. Most areas hold equipment at the local maintenance office. Talk to your coordinator.
Do we get "pick up sticks"?
Unfortunately WSDOT does not provide these. However, you can buy them at your local hardware store.
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About how long does it take on a day to pick up litter?
It depends on the size of the group. Larger groups can have their section picked up in a couple of hours- individuals and families may spend a large part of the day picking up litter.
Why am I asked to report the last four digits of my social security number on the forms?
This is to distinguish between common names of volunteers across the state in the case of administering a claim for an injury. This number is not used for any other purpose.
How does my group stay safe picking litter on the highway?
Use the equipment provided to you by your coordinator. Also see WSDOT's safety tips and guidelines.
How can we protect ourselves from recent herbicide spraying?
Call your coordinator before you pick up litter and they can let you know if WSDOT recently sprayed any herbicides in your section.
Why can't we pick up litter on holidays?
This is for your own safety. Traffic tends to be greater during these times, and you are encouraged to pick up during non-peak traffic flows, such as weekends and mid-day during the week.
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What do we do if we find large or dangerous objects?
Please do not pick them up. Try to leave a bright marker or piece of tape by the object. Call your coordinator and they will arrange for WSDOT crews to pick up the object(s).
How do we report a pick up?
Your coordinator will send you an activity report for you to mail in after each pick up. This is important to fill out because WSDOT needs to keep track of how often groups are picking up litter to keep the state looking clean. It also allows WSDOT to maintain insurance coverage for our volunteers and tells WSDOT to collect the filled bags for disposal.
How long will it take for our sign to go up?
Between six and eight weeks.
What should we put on our highway sign that recognizes our work?
The signs are intended to recognize you or your group, not your message. Many groups simply have the name of their family or organization. You can also adopt “in memory of” a loved one. Two lane highways have signs with space for up to three lines of text with 13 characters per line. Expressways/highways have signs with space for up to two lines of text with 20 characters per line.
My group wants our logo on the highway sign. How can we have this done?
Groups with volunteer agreements cannot have a logo put on the highway sign. Groups with sponsored agreements for a third party to clean up can have a logo on their sign. These groups are required to pay WSDOT-approved contractors for the litter pickup and disposal of filled bags. The WSDOT charges a fee to the sponsor group for the highway sign, which the group can place a logo on.
If my business sponsored an adoption, how much would it cost?
It depends on several things, such as the cost of hiring contractors to pick up litter and dispose of it. WSDOT also charges a fee for the placement of a highway sign- depending on the section of highway that is being sponsored. This fee is between $300-$900.
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