Adopt-a-Highway volunteers used dedication, muscle and hard work in 2023 to clean up miles of Arizona’s highways.

Here is an example of how much, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation: Litter from highways cleaned last year weighed as much as 653 NFL linemen.

Representing 850 volunteer groups that have adopted state highway miles, nearly 9,000 people filled more than 15,000 bags with roadside litter, mainly outside of Arizona’s metropolitan areas.

That works out to 103 tons – as much as 653 National Football League linemen, ADOT officials said.

“The dollar value of these volunteers’ work, $674,000, demonstrates the great impact and saves the Arizona Department of Transportation money that can be committed to other critical needs,” a release stated.

“We are so grateful to the many Arizonans who help keep our state grand,” Mary Currie, ADOT’s Adopt a Highway Program manager, said. “Their dedication beautifies state highways that provide a first impression for many visitors and enhances Arizona’s natural beauty.”

For more information and to join the Adopt-a-Highway effort: azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway.