MoDOT sees increase in Mid-Missouri litter

The Missouri Department of Transportation said litter along mid-Missouri’s highways is on the rise.

“People like to drive and eat in their cars and they don’t like to keep the trash in their cars and they tend to just roll down the windows and throw it away,” said Stacy Armstrong with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

MoDOT spent around $6 million last year to clean up the trash along interstates and highways. To help keep up the trash and keep costs down, it relies on an inmate work release program. MoDOT also has its Adopt-A-Highway program. There are around 4,800 groups, but the state has more than 30,000 miles of highways, so it’s always looking for more volunteers.

Tossing trash out the window can also cost the person doing it. Littering is a class A misdemeanor and

“Don’t litter. Keep it in your car. Take it home with you. Recycle it. Use the trash can at the gas station. Just don’t carelessly, needlessly toss it out the window of your car,” said Armstrong.

You can click on the link if you’re interested in the MoDOT Adopt-A-Highway program.