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Currie: Registration starts today for ADOT's Adopt a Highway program

Agency seeks volunteers around Arizona for cleanup efforts

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The Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program welcomes you to make a positive difference on National CleanUp Day, Saturday, Sept. 17, from dawn to dusk.

Registration opened Aug. 17 for Adopt a Highway volunteer groups and others wanting a one-day permit to clean litter along a designated one or 2-mile segment of highway.

In 2021, 40 groups filled 150 trash bags in one day. That’s 2,053 pounds or 1.2 tons of litter removed from state roadways. We invite you to help us continue the momentum and keep Arizona grand.

Volunteer groups who participate on National CleanUp! Day and report the bags of litter collected are helping to fulfill the permit requirement for cleaning their adopted segment.

ADOT grants one-day permits on a first-come, first-served basis and we’ll do our best to find an adoptable section near your desired location.

One-day permit holders who decide to keep the permit after National CleanUp Day for two years, will have the first cleanup waived. One cleanup is required after a new permit is confirmed to have the group recognition sign ordered and installed at the adopted segment.

All groups must report litter bags collected and the number of volunteers who participated within three days after the event. ADOT tracks litter data to better understand where resources are needed to help mitigate litter. Groups that report this vital information will receive a printable certificate of appreciation for participating in this year’s event.

The Adopt a Highway team plans to recognize as many volunteer groups on-site as logistics allow.

If your registered group is located on our route Sept. 17 we will contact you to coordinate our visit.

We’d love to see and share your National CleanUp Day photos on social media. Please use the hashtag #NationalCleanUpDay and tag your photos with @ArizonaDOT.

Thank you for considering ADOT as an opportunity to unite and reduce litter in Arizona.

Visit azdot.gov for more information.

Arizona, Keep It grand!

About the author

Mary Currie is program manager in charge of ADOT’s Adopt a Highway program.