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 Adopt-A-Highway America!
 The Adopt-A-Highway program is an innovative solution to our state’s
highway litter problem. It provides private and civic organizations with the
opportunity to become involved in the preservation of our state’s natural
beauty. Members gain the satisfaction of contributing to their community and
state, and generating positive recognition for the group’s service activities.
Groups are encouraged to adopt a minimum of one mile of highway.
Your support is appreciated. Working together we can achieve our goal of litter
free highways.
Roadside litter costs Mississippians more than $2 million annually
and the highways are still littered. It is impossible to keep up
with the trash that thoughtless people dump on us. We need your
help! Become a member of the Adopt-A-Highway America program and
join thousands of volunteers who help keep Mississippi beautiful
by picking up litter along our highways.
Questions Often
Asked…
Who adopts?
Adopt-A-Highway groups include college fraternities
and sororities, churches, scouts, civic organizations, and commercial
and private enterprises. Many individuals and families adopt sections
of highways to show their pride in Mississippi or in memory of
a family member; some groups even adopt several sections of highway.
 What’s required?
Generally, the adopting group provides the manpower to pick up litter from
both sides of a highway on a one or two-mile section, a minimum of once each
quarter.
What does the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
do?
MDOT provides signs displaying the name of the group, business or organization
adopting a section of highway along with an Adopt-A-Highway America sign. Adopting
groups or businesses wishing to use a logo on their sign may do so by incurring
the cost. The sign must be made according to MDOT specifications. All signs
are erected and maintained by MDOT.
Also, for section clean ups, MDOT provides trash bags, safety vests, gloves
and “workers ahead” signs. Upon being contacted when each clean
up has been completed, MDOT picks up the bagged litter for disposal.
How do I get involved?
Contact the
District Anti-Litter Coordinator in your area for applications and to further discuss the program.
Program
Guidelines & Information
Interested groups must complete an application
for highway adoption. If the application is approved, the coordinator
executes a written agreement with
the Mississippi Transportation Commission. Participating group members shall
abide by all rules and regulations and all safety requirements of the Adopt-A-Highway
America program which are included with the application.
 While participating in this program, potential dangers on state
highway rights of way can include, but are not limited to: high-speed
traffic, potentially noxious plants, broken glass, sharp metal
and hazardous materials, and potentially harmful wildlife such
as snakes and stinging insects.
While on state highway rights of way, the method, manner and appearance
of the participants may not in any way distract, disrupt or adversely
affect traffic. Volunteers will save harmless the Mississippi Department
of Transportation from any and all claims for damages by persons
working on this program. Also, no person under the age of 12 will
be allowed to assist in litter removal from highway rights of way;
however, persons between the ages of 12 and 15 may participate
providing there is one adult present for every eight participants
in this age category.
MDOT prohibits the possession, consumption or being under the
influence of drugs or alcohol while performing work or litter pick
up on state highway rights of way.
Litter pick up shall take place between the hours of one hour
after sunrise to one hour before sunset and shall not take place
during inclement weather.
Safety Guidlines
for Picking up Litter on Mississippi Highways
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