There are thousands of miles of highway streaming out like a ribbon from one end of the United States to the other. A continuous network of asphalt and concrete connects each and every one of us to the other. Constructing these roadways took decades of hard work and dedication from the engineers in cubicles to laborers on the ground. And keeping these highways clean is a task nearly as monumental and only possible with the help of the Adopt-A-Highway program. In commemoration of this valuable program that keeps trash off our scenic vistas and in landfills where it belongs, EnviroSolutions, Inc. brings you five facts you may not have known about the Adopt-A-Highway.
- The Adopt-A-Highway program started in the 1980’s, when an engineer working for the state noticed a section of highway covered in trash. Realizing the state had little money for clean-up, he decided to ask for volunteers to take responsibility for small sections of road.
- Currently, there are nearly 4,000 volunteer groups that work to keep sections of highway in 50 states pristine and clean.
- Even though the program started out as litter control, it has expanded to include mowing and beautification. Litter control is still the most popular choice for groups.
- Each state’s Department of Transportation provides the protective and safety gear to groups cleaning up litter along the highway as part of the program.
- If there were no volunteers cleaning litter along the road across America, it would cost states nearly 1.5 million dollars each year.
The idea for the Adopt-A-Highway program came from Texas, but it’s clear that volunteers come from all over the United States. With a determination to keep our driving vistas and scenic countryside healthy for every creature on earth, the Adopt-A-Highway program has become an award-winning program and example of how those who care about the environment can make a big difference.