How to Adopt a Highway

The Adopt-A-Highway program originated in Texas in 1984 after a local engineer saw debris flying in the streets. He took the initiative to start volunteer trash collecting along sections of the highway and today you can take initiative too. The Adopt-A-Highway program now exists in 49 states and several countries. Save your local government valuable cash and resources by keeping portions of the highway clean. Help the environment, help your community and feel good about yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Time or money
• Safety gear

1. Decide where you would like to adopt a highway. Not only do you have a choice of almost any state, you also have a choice of highway segments within each state. Choose a segment of highway you frequently travel on or even just a highly polluted one.
2. Contact your local Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program to find out about specific rules and regulations. Each state requires a different length of highway to be adopted and a different number of cleanups per year.
3. Prepare to donate time or money. In many states, there is an option to either volunteer your time to collect trash along the sides of the highway, or to pay a company to do the dirty work for you.
4. Gather a team of like-minded individuals to join you. Whether you will be physically picking up trash or sponsoring the cleanup, you should not do it alone. Family members, an organization, business or church group are good places to find volunteers.
5. Fill out and submit the necessary forms and applications before you can begin. These documents are available through your local Adopt-A-Highway representative or on the program's Web site.
6. Relish the feeling of being able to help reduce pollution along your adopted portion of highway.

Tips & Warnings

• Picking up trash along the highway can be dangerous. Pay close attention during the safety training courses you are usually required to take before you adopt a highway.