Litter on state highways

The problem with litter

In 2025, WSDOT collected and disposed of 726 tons of trash from state highways across Washington. This includes large debris like desks and mattresses abandoned along our highways, as well as litter collected by volunteer groups and Department of Ecology and Corrections crews. 

WSDOT and the Department of Ecology spend more $17 million annually on litter pickup and removal activities statewide. However, despite these investments, crews are only able to collect a small fraction of the litter that ends up on our roadsides. This is why prevention is critical – stopping litter before it reaches the ground is the most cost effective and sustainable solution.

Addressing the problem requires partnerships with many agencies and organizations – including the traveling public who also have an important role to play by stopping litter from reaching roadways in the first place.

Cost of litter control for state highways

WSDOT and Ecology invest millions of dollars each year to address roadside litter across the state. In 2025, WSDOT and Ecology together spent more than $17 million on litter cleanup and disposal statewide. While these investments are significant, they do not fully capture the ongoing scope and complexity of litter challenges faced each year.WSDOT's primary responsibilities include: 

• Pick up and disposal of litter bags.
• Pick up and disposal of large debris, such as furniture, tires and dead animals.
• Payments to the Department of Corrections crews for litter pick up.
• Administration of the Adopt-a-Highway program.

The Washington State Patrol issues fines to people who litter. Littering, illegal dumping, and driving with an unsecured vehicle load is punishable under Washington state law.

The Department of Ecology conducts litter studies, hires and maintains adult and youth litter crews and leads public education campaigns on litter prevention.

Washington State laws on litter issues

The following sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) address litter on state highways:

• RCW 70.93 Waste Reduction, recycling, and model litter control act.
• RCW 47.40.100 State Adopt-A-Highway program.
• RCW 46.61.655 Secure your load rules for drivers.