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? - Fill out the online Adopt-a-Highway Program Application Form and email or mail it to the District Anti-Litter Coordinator in your area. Your District Anti-Litter Coordinator will contact you with additional requirements and to further discuss the program.

If you would like to renew or cancel your involvement with the Adopt-a-Highway Program, please fill out the Adopt-a-Highway Renewal/Cancellation Notice online form and email or mail it to your District Anti-Litter Coordinator.

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.

Click here to view the Safety Guidelines for Picking Up Litter on Mississippi Highways.