Mother Nature has
been relentless this winter, and now that the snow has melted it’s time for
spring cleaning of our highways and byways.
The Indiana
Department of Transportation’s (INDOT’s) annual Trash Bash runs through the
month of April and coincides with National Earth Day to aid in raising
awareness of litter.
In 2013 more than
20,678 bags of trash were collected from alongside 3,400 miles of Indiana
roadways by INDOT maintenance crews, Indiana Department of Correction
offender crews and 1,633 Adopt-A-Highway volunteers. Also collected were
1,256 cubic yards of loose debris which included some strange items such as
an electric meter, laptop, horse whip and cash.
“The Department of
Corrections strives to rehabilitate offenders in many ways and cleaning up
Hoosier highways is one program that allows them to give back to the
community and turn doing time into doing good,” said Indiana Department of
Correction Commissioner Bruce Lemmon. “Partnering with INDOT in their Annual
Trash Bash and helping brighten up our great state is one of our agency’s
favorite activities.”
INDOT encourages
all Hoosiers to keep Indiana’s highways clean by following some simple tips:
*Â Don’t
litter: Set a good example for everyone, especially children.
*Â Be
responsible: Carry a trash bag in your car instead of tossing litter out the
window.
*Â Report it:
Report areas where people have illegally dumped garbage to your local
transportation, public works or conservation office.
*Â Adopt it:
To find out how your group can become involved in helping beautify an area
near you by participating in Adopt-A-Highway, Sponsor-A-Highway or other
highway beautification efforts please contact INDOT Customer Service for
northwest Indiana at 1-855-GO-INDOT.