VDOT Urges Virginians to Help Clean Up Roadways During Fall Litter Campaign

It’s not just fast-food wrappers and plastic bottles—litter along Virginia’s highways is costing taxpayers millions, threatening local ecosystems, and tarnishing the Commonwealth’s natural beauty. Now, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is calling on citizens to be part of the solution.

From October 25 to November 2, VDOT is ramping up roadside litter collection across the state as part of a coordinated fall cleanup effort. While Adopt-a-Highway volunteers will be out picking up trash during this window, VDOT is urging all Virginians to take part, whether by joining an official program or simply by being more mindful on the road.

“We spend $10 million each year to remove litter from our roads — but it costs nothing for each of us to do the easy thing and dispose of our trash responsibly,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich.

$10 Million in Trash

That $10 million price tag for annual litter cleanup could otherwise go a long way. According to VDOT, those same funds could:

• Fix over 81,000 potholes
• Pave 80 lane miles of roadway
• Paint 21,200 miles of lane markings
• Or complete an entire road improvement project

VDOT collected more than 360,000 bags of trash from Virginia’s 60,000 miles of state-maintained roads last year—enough to fill more than 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools. And even that is just a fraction of what’s out there.

“People enjoy views of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and meandering rivers while driving through Virginia,” Brich said. “But the litter is an eyesore that not only detracts from the beauty but draws taxpayer money away from other transportation needs.”

More Than Just a Nuisance

Litter isn’t just ugly—it’s dangerous and expensive. Trash along the roads:

• Creates safety hazards for drivers and maintenance crews
• Pollutes waterways and harms wildlife
• Hurts tourism and economic development, especially in scenic areas

VDOT encourages everyone to make small changes that can have a big impact:

• Keep a litter bag in your vehicle
• Wait to toss trash until reaching a rest area or destination with a trash bin
• Secure your vehicle’s load with netting or a tarp to prevent items from flying out

Get Involved: Adopt-a-Highway

One of the most effective ways to support clean roads is by joining the Adopt-a-Highway program. Individuals, families, schools, clubs, or businesses can adopt a two-mile stretch of road and commit to cleaning it up twice a year for at least three years.

Currently, more than 3,500 participants are registered, removing roughly 25,000 bags of litter from Virginia roadsides annually. VDOT’s website includes an interactive map showing adoptable stretches across the state.

Visit: VDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway Program

Prefer to Sponsor? Try Beautify Virginia

For those who want to contribute but can’t pick up litter themselves, VDOT also offers the Beautify Virginia program. Through this effort, businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations can sponsor a segment of road, with professional contractors handling the cleanup on their behalf.

Details are available at VDOT’s Beautify Virginia webpage.

It Starts With You

VDOT reminds Virginians that maintaining clean, safe, and attractive roadways is a shared responsibility.

“Litter may seem small, but it adds up—and it adds up fast,” said VDOT staff. “What we do as individuals impacts the entire community. A cleaner road is a safer, more welcoming road for everyone.”