In 2009, participants in the N.C. Department of Transportations fall and spring Litter Sweeps removed more than 4.6 million pounds of litter from North Carolina roadways, 200,000 pounds more than the 4.4 million pounds removed during the 2008 Litter Sweeps.

NCDOT crews, N.C. Department of Correction inmate squads, individuals in the Community Service Work Program, Adopt-A-Highway groups and volunteers from garden clubs, civic groups and other community organizations participated.

More than 315,000 bags were filled with roadside litter. NCDOT crews filled 64,500 bags; NCDOC inmate crews filled 111,900 bags; Community Service Work Program participants filled 19,500 bags; and AAH groups and Litter Sweep volunteers filled 119,000 bags. AAH groups and other volunteers accounted for more than 35 percent of the total bags filled.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol also participated during both Litter Sweeps by concentrating its efforts on citing motorists for littering and failing to secure their loads. Troopers issued more than 140 citations during the last two weeks of April and September 2009.

NCDOT Litter Sweeps are statewide, biannual roadside cleanups normally held the last two weeks of April and September. The 2010 Litter Sweeps are scheduled for April 17 through May 1, and September 18 through October 2.

For more information about Litter Sweep and litter prevention, visit the NCDOT Office of Beautification Programs Web site at www.ncdot.gov/~beautification.