PHOENIX – Volunteers on National Clean Up Day removed more than 642 bags, totaling more than 4 tons of trash, from alongside Arizona’s highway.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, seventy volunteer groups and individuals from all corners of the state registered through the new portal launched in August that was designed specifically to capture volunteer group participation and make it easier to sign up and participate. A one-day permit option was also made available. The new process helped ADOT document the number of litter bags filled and to notify highway maintenance units of the locations to pick up the litter bags filled by volunteers.
About 345 individuals from communities big and small 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.
Rhonda Johnston, in Chino Valley, said, “Thanks for organizing this event. We want our roads to be beautiful!”
Three of the volunteer groups who requested one-day permits opted to sign on for a two-year permit with the Adopt a Highway Volunteer program, which includes recognition sign installation. ADOT welcomes individuals and groups that want to make a difference.
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 activity reports telling ADOT how many bags of litter they cleaned up
● Clean their sections at least once and preferably three or more times per year