Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program

The Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program is part of an international litter awareness program where groups volunteer to pick up litter from along roadsides.  Groups include civic and community groups, families, and businesses.

In 2009, nearly 2,000 volunteer groups participated in removing litter from Arizona's highways.

Volunteering in the Adopt a Highway Program requires a two-year commitment to pick up loose trash and debris along a segment of state highway.  Groups agree to conduct cleanups based upon the frequency written into their Permit, usually three to four times a year.  Scenic and historic highways may require higher frequencies.

Your group coordinator will schedule the date and time of each cleanup with your ADOT contact and review the provided safety training to ALL participants before each cleanup activity.

It is recommended that you maintain a working group of six to ten people per two mile segment of highway.

Each member of your group MUST read and sign the Volunteer Registration Form.

ADOT will supply trash bags for your group.  Filled trash bags need to be placed on the ground approximately 6 – 10 feet from the roadway for ADOT crews to remove and dispose of.

Volunteers are required to wear safety vests labeled ANSI Class II.  Groups should be prepared to supply their own safety vests.  Local vendors include:

Please check first with your ADOT contact regarding safety vests.  If we have vests on hand, we’d be happy to loan some to you, but please follow instructions from District Coordinator about returning any loaned vests back to ADOT.  Vests that you purchase are yours to keep.

After your cleanup, complete the online Activity Report detailing your cleanup.  The report indicates the hours worked, the number of participants, and the number of bags of trash removed.

Still want to become one of the thousands of dedicated volunteers keeping our highways clean and safe?

Contact the District Office for your area to become involved with the Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program.

The District Adopt a Highway Coordinator will provide you with a Permit Application to complete and submit.  Be sure to read the application, front and back, and retain a copy for your records.

Documents are posted as they become available in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader to view.