NCDOT collects more than 8 million pounds of litter off roads this year

RALEIGH, N.C (WNCN) — Roadside debris can be an eye sore for drivers along North Carolina highways.

A CBS 17 viewer wrote in letting us know debris on interstates around the Triangle was driving them crazy.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports they’ve picked up more than 8.3 million pounds of litter off roads so far this year. Cleaning it up that litter is often a game of whack-a-mole for the state.

Ryan Arrington says he notices litter along roadways often. 

“It’s pretty frustrating,” Arrington said. “I like to think that we aren’t throwing things out the car while we’re driving around or when we’re stopping at places. It’s pretty easy to find a trash can, near you wherever you stop,” said Arrington. 

On interstates and primary roads, NCDOT says crews aim to collect litter prior to each mowing cycle, which typically occurs four to eight times per year, depending on the specific corridor and growing season. When additional funding is available, dedicated litter pickup cycles are also implemented independently of mowing schedules to address ongoing or high-need areas.

Secondary roads are generally maintained through a combination of mowing schedules, volunteer-based programs like Adopt-A-Highway, and litter reports from the public.

“It’s hard to believe but sometimes when you’re driving around and you still see trash everywhere you go but it’s nice to see that there are things happening,” Arrington said. 

In a statement, NCDOT shared, “Maintaining clean roadways across North Carolina requires constant attention and effort. Our crews prioritize interstates and primary routes for regular cleanup, with additional litter collection efforts carried out as needed. We encourage the public to report litter concerns and get involved through programs like Adopt-A-Highway. Keeping our roads clean is a shared responsibility.”

“Take the extra five seconds it takes to take it somewhere and throw it away,” Arrington said. “It’s worth it,” Arrington said.

Under North Carolina’s anti-littering law​, individuals may be fined and face community service for intentionally and unintentionally littering.

Intentional littering in the amount of 15 pounds or less is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 24 hours of community service.

Unintentional littering in the amount of 15 pounds or less is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $100 and up to 12 hours of community service

There are several ways the public can assist in keeping roads clean:

Adopt-A-Highway: Volunteer groups commit to picking up litter along designated stretches of roadway.

Sponsor-A-Highway: Businesses can financially support litter removal in specific corridors. These sponsors commit to four cleanups per year, with costs covered by the sponsoring business.

Individuals can make a big difference by:

• Always covering truck loads to prevent debris from falling onto roads.

• Keeping litter inside vehicles until it can be properly disposed of.

• Not throwing trash out of car windows.