Remember...the only good litter is for cats

Since 1993 I have adopted a highway in my neighborhood. I call it the “Pamlico Joe Expressway” though it’s given name is Moore’s Beach Road. I pick up the litter on this road many times a year as a solo act. I use a crab net to scoop up the trash.

My purpose with adopting this highway is two-fold: 1) I want to make my neighborhood a little nicer and 2) I want other people to know that one person can make a difference. Many civic and nearby neighborhood groups have noticed that there is just one of me taking care of a lot of highway and have adopted sections of highway on their own. 

My home state of North Carolina established the Adopt-A-Highway program in 1988 in response to citizens' growing concerns about litter along the state's highways. The program is one of the largest in the nation, representing 6,000 groups and 150,000 volunteers. Since its inception, the program has resulted in a $3 million savings to the taxpayers each year.

It’s pretty easy to do. You only have to pick up  litter 4 times a year, but you have to be at least 12 yrs old to participate.

For more information on adopting a highway, contact your state's Deptartment of Transportation.