The problem with litter

During the period of July 2003 through June 2004, WSDOT disposed of an estimated 5, 359 tons of litter and debris that was removed from its roadsides. Department of Ecology estimates another 6,315 tons are collected annually from state and county roads statewide in 2004. This equates to approximately 26,800 cubic yards of litter, or the volume of over 2,600 large dump trucks. To put it in perspective, in ten short years, the litter collected on our highways would form a rectangular stack nearly the same height as the Space Needle.

Cost of litter control for state highways

Annually, WSDOT spends $2,000,000 to pick up and dispose of litter statewide. This includes:

• Pick up and disposal of litter bags
• Pick up and disposal of large debris, such as furniture, tires, and dead animals
• Payments to Department of Corrections crews for litter pick up
• Administration of the Adopt-A-Highway program

Partners in litter control

Litter control on state highways is a shared responsibility: 

• The Adopt-A-Highway Program is an anti-litter and highway enhancement campaign intended to promote pride and ownership in keeping our state beautiful.
• It allows individuals and groups to "adopt" a section of state highway by agreeing to take care of it for a two-year period. Volunteer groups may be clubs, employees of a business, or concerned citizens. All participants must be at least 15 years of age and in good health.
• Typically an assigned section includes between two and four miles of roadside.
• A sign is installed by WSDOT, giving recognition to the individual or group that has adopted the highway.
• WSDOT also provides traffic control equipment, safety equipment, safety training, litterbags, and disposal of filled bags for the volunteers.
• In the Expanded Adopt-A-Highway program, a private sponsor may hire a professional contractor to clean or enhance a section of highway in return for a sign with the business name and/or logo.

Want to Litter? Fine.

Washington State Patrol is responsible for enforcement of litter-control laws on state highways.

RCWs for litter issues

• RCW 70.93 Waste Reduction, recycling, and model litter control act
• RCW 47.40.100 State Adopt-A-Highway Program

If you have comments or questions, contact Helen Simmonds at (360) 705-7866 or e-mail simmonh@wsdot.wa.gov .