MassHighway Litter Cleanup

 

MassHighway today launched its annual roadway trash removal program.  MassHighway workers, local business groups, volunteers and crews of prisoners have begun collecting trash that has accumulated along major highways. 

MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky joined clean up crews in Chicopee at the Route 33 rotaries.

Last year crews picked up 145,700 bags or 582.8 tons of trash from Massachusetts roadways.  The volunteer litter cleanup campaign saves taxpayers a portion of the trash removal expense.

MassHighway’s Adopt-A-Highway public service program focuses on major routes such as interstate roadways, with volunteer cleanups along individually-sponsored two-mile stretches of highway.  Learn more about the program.

Comments

[Christine]

I'm not sure what happened to picking up the highway. It seems non-existant. It is not just paper and cups, it is bumpers and things that fall off of pickup trucks. It is embarrasing that we can not clean up the highways. All other surrounding states do not have this problem.
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Thanks for the comment. MassDOT takes state roadway litter seriously, and does cleanup work as conditions allow. Roadside cleanup in 2012 as each year will be focused in particular in the period just after the typical winter snow plow season when litter accumulates and may be hidden by weather-related conditions.

[Carol]

Today a Grey Saturn with a Red Sox vanity plate RS 918 threw out 2 water bottles from the drivers side out an open window on the passengers side in the far right driving lane. The car was heading south on route 24. The bottles were flung out the passenger side window north of exit 20 around 5:30PM.
We honked the horn when the first bottle was flung but he sent a second one flying anyway.
Are there not laws and a way to obtain compensation for clean up costs since littering is a major problem and there seems as if there is no monitoring of the offenders?

The state needs money yet does not seem to present a campaign against littering with a substantial fine whether it be money or cleaning up a mile or so of roadway.A campaign against littering would either decrease clean up costs or generate revenue with fines.

[Eric Hutchins]

I am in full support of keeping the highways and byways clean. I would like to pressure the state to implement stronger recyling laws and regulations that might help result in source reduction from the very start. If we create less trash...less will wind up on the highways. I would like to see mandatory pay as you throw programs state wind. Need to start at the source of the trash. I would also like to see a surcharge on plastis bags!

[Mary Mint]

I would like to correct a grammatical error in my last post which should read....The majority of plastic trash is beverage plastic bottles. However since I last posted this comment my neighbor has noticed trash removal companies with uncovered containers leaving Cape Ann heading south on Rte 128. Also today we noticed a toilet seat in the trees right after the exit to rte 133 again south bound on 128! The trash at this point is horrific to say the least.

[Mary Mintz]

Interesting ......I still see alot of trash along the highway and I feel this program is not very good in this state and needs hugh improvements. Just drive to Rhode Island and you can see the difference....I have called the state alot on this subject.....I would like an accountability of the budget and the times they picked up 128 North in the past year because I guarantee you it was pathetic. Bring back littering fines and enforce them and this will increase your budget.
The majority of the plastic trash are beverage plastic bottles.....charge money for them....outlaw styrofoam.....do not mow the plastic with the grass.....where do you dispose of the grass contaminated with plastic clippings? HHHM.....