Every year in Washington, more than 12 million pounds of litter is tossed and blown onto our highways and roads. Another 6 million pounds is tossed in parks and recreation areas. Litter creates an eyesore, harms wildlife and their habitats, and puts motorists at risk.
Ecology leads a partnership of state, county, and local agencies to keep our state’s roads and highways clean, pick up illegal dumps, and prevent people from littering in the first place. Together, these groups picked up about 5.3 million pounds of litter in 2016.
Litter laws
Washington requires motorists to prevent litter by covering their loads and having a litter bag in their vehicle. The law imposes fines for people caught littering; fines range from $50 to $5,000.
Litter programs
In 2016, Ecology-funded programs picked up 5.3 million pounds of litter and cleaned 27,523 miles of road statewide. Volunteer crews picked up hundreds of thousands more pounds of litter.
Since 1975, we've employed more than 12,000 young people who have removed litter and promoted recycling and litter abatement through out the state. The Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) is Washington's largest youth employment program.
The Community Litter Cleanup Program (CLCP) provides local governments with funding for litter pickup, illegal-dump cleanup, and litter-prevention education.
Adopt-a-Highway is a roadside clean-up program that promotes pride and local ownership in Washington. Thousands of miles of roadway statewide are available for adoption. Do something great for your community — volunteer and we’ll recognize your group's effort on a roadside sign.
Contact information
Amber Smith
Statewide Litter Prevention Coordinator
Amber.Smith@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6057
Ariona
Southwest Region Litter Administrator
Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6351
Rod Hankinson
Central Region Litter Administrator
Counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima
rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7209
Steven Williams
Northwest Region Litter Administrator
Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
steven.williams@ecy.wa.gov
425-649-7048
Laurie Dahmen
Eastern Region Litter Administrator
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3506