Clean freaks and neatniks wanted: Help keep AZ beautiful by joining Adopt a Highway

By David Woodfill / ADOT Communications

Miles of highway cleaned: 1,500

Bags of trash collected: 14,000

Taxpayer dollars saved: 500,000

Knowing you've made Arizona more beautiful: Priceless.

Adopt a Highway volunteers are at the front lines in keeping Arizona's magnificent landscapes pristine. And as impressive as the aforementioned numbers are, we could use a little more help.

That's where you come in. Yes, you – the one reading this blog. ADOT and Adopt a Highway need your help as long as there are people who feel entitled to litter our beautiful roadways.

In the words of ADOT Director John Halikowski, “We have to continue changing the culture until everyone instinctively knows that littering is absolutely unacceptable."

Until then, more tireless and selfless volunteers are needed to continue attacking the problem of litter on Arizona's roadways.

There are two ways to chip in: Volunteering and sponsoring.

Groups can apply for two-year permits to adopt highway stretches at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway. Highways are available throughout the state. There is no shortage of paved roadway that can use a little TLC.

Those volunteers get their own signs featuring the names of their organizations in exchange for at least three cleanups a year. ADOT will provide the reflective lime-green safety vests and trash bags, and we'll haul away the garbage.

Business owners can sponsor a highway and use ADOT-approved vendors to clean up. Those businesses can get their own signage with their company names and logos.

So, what are you waiting for? Join us and help keep Arizona beautiful!