The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is continuing to spend more each year on litter cleanup along the state’s roadways.
ALDOT’s mission is to maintain and improve roads, not trash collection. However, the increasing amount of litter can be a road safety issue, so ALDOT employees spend a significant amount of time picking up litter. ALDOT also contracts with companies to remove trash from interstates and state roads and coordinates with volunteers from the Adopt-A-Mile program.
Despite these efforts, cleanup costs continue to rise. In 2024, ALDOT spent more than $9.4 million statewide on litter removal. That is a $500,000 increase from 2023, where ALDOT spent nearly $9 million. In 2022, ALDOT spent $7 million.
Here is how much each ALDOT region spent on litter cleanup in 2024.
North: $1,463,734.90
East Central: $3,452,878.94
West Central: $1,353,735.45
Southeast: $1,745,491.60
Southwest: $1,465,322.39
Where the money could go instead
If people were to stop littering, ALDOT could use those funds for much-needed road projects, such as:
- Improving intersections to reduce crashes
- Road resurfacing for smoother, safer driving conditions
- Guardrails and safety barriers to prevent serious incidents
- Sidewalks and crosswalks to protect pedestrians
How you can help
Littering isn’t just illegal – it wastes taxpayer dollars that could be better spent on safety and infrastructure. Keeping Alabama’s roads clean and keeping Alabama beautiful is a shared responsibility.
“The less money we spend on litter cleanup, the more we can invest in making roads safer for everyone,” ALDOT spokesperson James Gordon said.
ALDOT encourages all Alabamians to help by organizing litter cleanup activities in their local communities. Whether it’s picking up litter in a park or simply disposing of litter, everyone can play a part.
Here are ways to make a difference:
- Never throw trash out of your vehicle.
- Dispose of trash properly by using trash receptacles at your destinations.
- Carry a small trash bag in your vehicle.
- Properly secure loads when hauling loose vehicles to prevent debris from flying out.
- Volunteer for cleanup programs like Adopt-A-Mile or Keep Alabama Beautiful.
By working together, Alabamians can reduce litter and ensure transportation funds go toward improving roads, not picking up trash.
