Can you imagine 800 tons of anything? Eight-hundred tons of African elephants would be about 114 of the massive mammals.

Eight-hundred tons is also how much litter and trash ADOT maintenance crews collected in 2021 along Maricopa County freeways. That’s a lot of litter and also a 47% increase in the amount of litter picked up in 2017.

Each week, ADOT maintenance crews are able to clean about 250 miles along the freeway system, thanks to funding from the Maricopa Association of Governments. Nevertheless, the amount of litter and trash increases along Valley freeways year after year. 

ADOT’s Incident Response Unit, sponsored by State Farm, responds to an average of 26 calls per week for debris blocking the highway. In fact, one-third of all the calls the IRU receives are for litter and debris obstructing highway travel lanes.

Recently in Tucson, ADOT maintenance crews from Casa Grande to Nogales banded together to pick up 44,000 pounds of trash along 25 miles of highways, working along I-10 from Ina to Valencia roads, and along I-19 from I-10 to Valencia Roads. 

While ADOT maintenance personnel are available to remove litter as part of their duties, their primary responsibility is to safety-related work such as guardrail repair, pavement maintenance and right-of-way fence repairs to keep livestock off roadways. 

But here’s the thing: this problem is entirely preventable by keeping litter in your vehicle until you get to your destination and securing your load. Tossing burger wrappers, paper cups and cigarette butts out of the window, while all seemingly small and insignificant items, build up over time and create safety issues.  

Trash build-up can also clog drainage systems and lead to water pooling on roadways. And large debris that falls onto roadways can be hazardous as drivers swerve to avoid the items.

So, let’s leave the items that can be measured in tons to large land animals. By securing your loads and keeping trash in your vehicle until you can throw it away at a stop or destination, you can help make a huge dent in the amount of trash collecting alongside our highways, clogging drainage systems and marring landscapes. 

To find out more about ADOT’s Adopt a Highway program and litter, visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway. 

Melissa Owen's annual "All the Way to the Border" cleanup celebrated a comeback as 101 volunteers returned to collect litter along 45 miles of State Route 286, between Three Points at State Route 86 to Sasabe at the Arizona-Mexico border. The event, which occurred on Jan. 29, continues to grow and capture a diverse group of supporters from the local communities and beyond.

Thirty-seven volunteers attended a safety briefing on Saturday morning at the Robles Ranch Civic Center in Three Points while an additional 64 volunteers, briefed earlier, were already collecting litter at adopted or designated mileposts along the southernmost half of the stretch.  

Owen, a local ranch owner, greeted volunteers and gathered the crowd to conduct a short business and safety meeting. Her leadership and tremendous hospitality is what brings volunteers from this community back each year. 

Sarah King and Julia Sittig from Altar Valley Conservation Alliance were recipients of a prestigious Golden Grabber award for event logistical assistance. Roberta Lopez-Sutter from TRICO Electric Cooperative received a prized grabber as well for providing event support. 

After the meeting, I caught up with a few volunteers along the route. Neighbors Jean and Edna, who winter at a nearby Caballero Loco Ranch, shared a bit of volunteer philosophy with me. Jean told me there were about 18 other ranch residents cleaning up along the route further south. “We love to see the highways clean and it's such a small thing for us to do to help out.”

“And we get to have fun and visit while we’re doing it!” Edna chimed.

At day's end, 219 trash bags had been filled, totalling about 1.5 tons of roadside litter and other debris too large to place in bags. The volunteer count and trash totals made the 2022 event the largest and most successful to date. 

The regionally famous and much-coveted Trashiest Piece of Trash award went to John Durham, the finder of a $5 bill. “It pays to volunteer," he said.

Owen's final report mentions participants Phoenix, Louisiana, Nevada and Rhode Island.

“Many thanks to Altar Valley Middle School, Tucson Samaritans, Humane Borders and Rancho Sierra Vista de Sasabe who all have adopted miles," Owen said. "Special thanks also go out to Robles Junction Civic Center and all our ADOT Heroes.” 

"All the Way to the Border" welcomes new volunteers to adopt available segments along SR 286 as a one-day permit or a standard two-year permit. Groups adopting for two years receive recognition signs installed near each end of the segment, after the first cleanup is reported. For more information, about adopting a segment of highway, visit our Adopt a Highway page.

Volunteer group leaders and the generous individuals they lead promote a valuable service that supports the preservation of roadside beauty in Arizona. 

Last year, volunteers came back in full force to their adopted segments. Friends, family and neighbors gathered to help reduce litter. Adopt a Highway volunteers joined thousands on National CleanUp Day, including a group who came out for the day in Prescott Valley.

Without further ado, I am pleased to report a significant increase in volunteer activity in 2021 over the previous year. More than 7,400 volunteers collected 14,400 bags or 197,000 pounds of trash from along state highways. That's about 89,000 more pounds of trash than was collected the previous year.

A well deserved "thank you" to our long-time volunteers and the many new volunteer friends who contributed to the reduction in roadside litter. The sum of each bag collected and recorded produced a positive result for travelers, wildlife and the environment.

Data collected from group leaders after each event in 2021 revealed the number of bags collected, volunteers participating and hours spent collecting litter. The information provided by volunteers allows ADOT to measure the accomplishments of volunteers. ADOT shares that information with the public and with other states and organizations that manage similar litter reduction operations to  improve trash collection programs.

Due to the reduction in volunteer activity and the department's ability to secure prison labor since 2020, public litter complaints have skyrocketed. The unfortunate act of littering continues as ADOT helped to address a preventable problem. Recently, a major litter removal project was conducted in Tucson and similar projects in other locations along the state highway system.   

Thank you for your continued support or considering ADOT as an opportunity to unite and reduce litter along our highways. Visit Adopt a Highway for a step by step on getting involved.

If you live near Phoenix and would like to help reduce litter in your neighborhood, please visit  My Beautiful Phoenix hosted by Keep Phoenix Beautiful. Tucson residents may contact Tucson Clean and Beautiful to get involved in local volunteer cleanup activities. The Maricopa Association of Governments' Don't Trash Arizona program was implemented in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation to address the environmental, economic, safety and health impacts of freeway litter along regional and state highways.

Arizona, Keep It Grand!

Have you finished your holiday shopping?

If you’re like me, you might be waiting until the last minute to purchase the perfect present.

Well, fellow holiday procrastinators, I have a tip for finding the go-to gift: ADOT.

Seriously, don't laugh.

ADOT can be your one-stop, online shopping destination. ADOT has plenty of ideas for everyone on your list. Best of all, everything can be purchased online.

Here are some of the ADOT options:

1. You can give the gift of togetherness by signing up for the Adopt-A-Highway program and even get a sign with the name of your choice. More importantly, you are bringing together friends and family to build memories, while performing a valuable community service.
2. Anyone who appreciates stunning photography will enjoy a subscription to the 
   
    award-winning Arizona Highways Magazine. Or perhaps one of an array of unique gifts, such as gorgeous calendars, jewelry, ornaments, books and more offered by the Arizona Highways Store. Whether your recipient is an ardent traveler, history buff or just loves thumbing through glossy pages filled with Arizona beauty, these are ideal presents. Plus, there is an Arizona Highways specialty plate if you want to go all out!
3. If you have children who love science, engineering or anything on four wheels, you could consider the gift of education and fun by making regular visits to the ADOT Kids website. Created to spark children’s imaginations and curiosity about what makes things go, how bridges are built, how vehicles work and more, it offers activity sheets, videos, quizzes, maze challenges and more. Want to know about snowplows? Highway signs? Engineering paths? It's all on ADOT Kids.
4. Okay, maybe these don’t really into the holiday present category, but they are free and will save you tons of time on highways. Download the ADOT Alerts and AZ511 apps today or anytime during the holidays and get the gift of avoiding road closures, crashes and other emergency events.
5. The last gift idea is the most precious. If you haven't already, considering registering to become an organ and tissue donor with the Donor Network of Arizona. The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division partners with the Donor Network of Arizona to allow people to register as donors when they apply for or renew a driver license.

Shopping with ADOT is convenient and offers some interesting, thoughtful and, potentially, life-saving gifts. In fact, during a break from writing this blog, I ordered a Arizona Highways calendar for one one my friends who has everything.  

For more blogs on ADOT holiday gifts: 

• Gift cards are the worst; consider these presents instead! 
• Adopt a Highway: The gift of you 
• Need a gift idea? Why not a specialty license plate?
• ADOT Kids Travel Bingo

 

 

 

 

 

It could be said that Aaron and Natalie Merullo are a special welcoming committee for travelers crossing the stateline from Utah into Arizona.

The couple maintains the first mile of US 89 when motorists from Utah cross the stateline into Arizona. The Merullos' Adopt a Highway Volunteer recognition sign marks the site of a dedicated effort to reduce the impact of littering. The unfortunate truth is that litter distracts travelers from the roadside beauty of Arizona.

What better way to showcase Arizona than a pristine highway, a metaphoric red carpet for visitors and residents alike? Visitors traveling US 89 southbound from the Arizona-Utah stateline are treated to photogenic travel destinations, like Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. All that on less than a half-tank of gas.

“We chose this mile because it's closest to our house,” Aaron said. “But I love US 89. It's a great route for a road trip. Natalie encouraged us to volunteer. She wanted to make the highway look better in our neighborhood, but it's also the first impression of AZ, so we thought it was an important stretch.”

This is home to the Merullos, who live and work near the adopted segment. They drive by the “Welcome to Arizona” sign every day, which carries a new significance to them. In November, the couple tagged ADOT on Facebook, highlighting a recent clean-up effort at their adopted mile.

“Our advice to other volunteers would be to clean in the spring and fall when the weather is cool and there are no snakes around,” Aaron added. “We found a few personal items when cleaning and enough cash to take ourselves out to dinner that night.”

Arizona has hundreds of unadopted miles available that can use your help. If you are interested in starting your own group, visit us at azdot.gov/adoptahighway. 

January 2022 will mark the seventh anniversary of Melissa Owens’ annual celebration of sun, fun and litter. Owens has been a part of Adopt a Highway for more than 22 years and began collaborating with neighbors and the community for more involvement seven years ago. January 2021 was similar to previous years. Volunteer groups gathered for a morning huddle at the local Robles Ranch Civic Center in Three Points and then headed out to clean the entire 45 miles of State Route 286 from Three Points, all the way to the border at Sasabe.

“Adjustments were made earlier this year to meet social distancing concerns,” said Mary Currie, Adopt a Highway program manager for ADOT. “Instead of a one-day event held in January, participating groups went out to clean adopted segments on varying days chosen by the group. At month-end the trash bags collected were tallied for a final total. About 68 volunteers collected over 200 bags of trash along 36 miles.Overall, a remarkable accomplishment.”   

Preparing for next year’s event Owen said, “It’ll be just like old times. We’ll meet at the Robles Ranch Civic Center in Three Points at 9:30 am on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. There’ll be hot beverages and snacks to keep you going. We’ll get our blue bags and don our safety vests and head out on the highway to spend a morning together doing what we all have been missing since last January - picking up trash along one of the most beautiful roads in the great southwest. And, we’ll all be competing for the regionally-famous and much-coveted Trashiest Piece of Trash Contest.”

State Route 286 passes through Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. “Plastics and glass shards pose a real danger to deer, pronghorn and other wildlife,'' explains Owen, who encourages volunteers to pack a lunch and plan to picnic on the refuge while watching for wintertime raptors and other grassland birds and mammals. Or drive a few miles east and dine in Arivaca where there’s always something going on.

Owen welcomes others to join the event by adopting vacant segments along SR 286. Volunteers may request a one-day permit to adopt two miles on Jan. 29, 2022 by sending a request to [email protected].  

Patsy Schultz’ inspiration for volunteering for the Adopt a Highway program comes from Navajo elder Mary R. Clay who passed away in 2008. Schultz adopted a 2-mile segment to honor her memory the same year. She described Clay as a mother, sister, aunt and grandmother to many in the community. 

“Clay lived her life to the fullest and passed on at 102 years of age. She taught us the importance of keeping our Mother Earth clean, in addition to taking care of ourselves, our children and helping out one another. Her spirit lives on as we do the highway cleanup," said Schultz.

Schultz and six volunteers gathered for National CleanUp Day and collected six bags of trash plus vehicle parts and a car fender strewn along their adopted segment. The dedicated group from left to right in the photo: Andrew Simanu, Sirena Begaye, Chris Celaya, Patsy Schultz, Adriano Yazzie and Kyle Descheenie. Not shown is Lillie Yellowhair, behind the camera. 

A closer look at the photo reveals an Outstanding Volunteer placard underneath the recognition sign at the lower left. The added recognition signifies a volunteer group that collects litter and reports it to ADOT three or more times per year. 

Leupp is located along SR 99 in Coconino County—about 30 miles northeast of Winslow. The community is situated in the southwestern region of the Navajo Nation.  

If you are interested in adopting a segment of highway in memory of your loved one or simply caring for mother earth, please visit the Adopt a Highway website to learn how.

The Adopt a Highway sign reads, "In memory of Michael Scott." 

Wendy Scott, Michael’s big sister, wanted to dedicate their highway adoption and recognition sign to her little brother.

Michael was an aspiring engineer, ready to begin a full ride scholarship at Arizona State University. His dream was cut short on Sept. 18, 2004 at 19- years old, when he was killed by a drunk driver. 

In 2012 Wendy adopted the segment along SR 87. “We have a family cabin outside of Payson and have traveled the 87 highway a lot, which is why I chose it,” Wendy said.

Michael is shown in the photo with his three siblings. He is the curly haired one on the right.

“Mike enjoyed the outdoors as well as his family. He grew up in the boy scout program and often did service projects through scouting. I think it makes Mike happy that his family recognizes him by doing a service such as a highway cleanup together to honor him," said Wendy.

The Scott family gathered on National CleanUp Day, Sept. 18, at their adopted segment to honor Michael. They collected more than 82 pounds of trash strewn along the adopted area—giving back to the community just as Michael would have done. 

To learn more about the program please visit the Adopt a Highway website.

Nearly 1 million volunteers across the country participated in National CleanUp Day, including 40 Adopt a Highway groups from at least 15 towns. Volunteers from Page to Kingman, Congress to Yuma and Tucson to Show Low showed up on Sept. 18 to clean their adopted highway mile. 

National CleanUp Day is a designated day each September where volunteers clean public spaces and waterways. Adopt a Highway volunteers have been participating for several years, picking up thousands of pounds of trash in one day along Arizona highways. On National CleanUp Day, one-day permits are issued to newbies so they can see how they like adopting a highway. More than half of the 40 groups participating last Saturday were first-time participants.

Adopt a Highway Manager Mary Currie said, “Many first-time volunteers are amazed at the difference they can make in just an hour or two and decide to more permanently adopt a mile of highway. Most see how easy and rewarding it is and sign up for a two-year stint.”

This year, 2,053 pounds of trash or 150 bags were gathered by volunteers. State highways look better because of their work, the environment is improved and many volunteers walk away with a sense of accomplishment.

Volunteer Michele Michelson said, “I saw ADOT’s post on facebook and registered. Who doesn’t want to keep their community clean? Thank you, ADOT, for offering this opportunity."

If you missed National CleanUp Day, there are always more opportunities to volunteer with Adopt a Highway. Volunteers can find their preferred mile on our website. Arizona businesses wanting to sponsor a mile can learn how they can help by visiting the Sponsor Program site.