As the state’s lead agency managing litter programs, we operate youth and adult litter pickup crews and provide funding for litter pickup and prevention to state and local governments. We also oversee the state's litter prevention campaigns.
Litter prevention
Our research shows that 75% of Washingtonians don't litter, but the actions of those who do result in expensive cleanups, dangerous road conditions, loss of community pride and tourism, and big environmental impacts.
We work with consultants and stakeholders to create comprehensive litter prevention campaigns and interventions to help change littering behaviors.
Washington's litter programs
We lead a partnership of state, county, and local agencies to keep Washington’s roads and highways clean, pick up illegal dumps, and prevent people from littering in the first place. In 2021, Ecology-funded programs picked up over 5.1 million pounds of litter and cleaned 21,423 miles of road, statewide.
The Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) program is the largest and longest-running litter pickup program in the state. EYC hires teens and adults to pick up litter on the state’s roads and highways. Learn about the Ecology Youth Corps.
We created the Community Litter Cleanup Program (CLCP) in 1997 to provide funds to local governments for litter and illegal dump cleanup and litter prevention education. For the 2019-21 biennium, $3.4 million went to 34 grant recipients statewide. Learn about the Community Litter Cleanup Program.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) spends approximately $4 million annually picking up and disposing of litter, statewide. This includes disposing of the bagged litter that the Ecology Youth Corps collects along state highways. WSDOT picks up and disposes large debris, hires corrections crews for litter pickup, and operates the Adopt-A-Highway program. They are also a key partner on Washington's new litter prevention campaign and the annual Secure Your Load Day efforts.
Volunteers can help with litter pickup along state highways through the Adopt-A-Highway program. Their sponsorship program allows businesses to adopt a section of highway and hire approved contractors to pick up litter on their section. Learn about the Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources operates a Correctional Camps program that mobilizes work crews to perform litter and illegal dump cleanup on state lands, roads, public use facilities, and more. Learn about the Department of Natural Resources’ Correctional Camps program.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's Lands and Waters program operates crews to pick up litter, clean illegal dumpsites, and prevent litter on Fish and Wildlife land and public access areas. Learn more about the Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands and Waters program.
The Washington State Department of Corrections operates work crews that support a variety of community partnerships and activities including, litter pick up and illegal dump cleanup. Learn more about the Department of Corrections' Work Crews program.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, conducts coordinated beach cleanups under the Washington CoastSavers program. Beach cleanups are held three times a year to remove marine debris along Washington's outer coast and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Learn more about State Parks beach cleanups.
The Washington State Patrol and local police and sheriff's offices enforce the state’s litter and secured load laws. We partner with the State Patrol on emphasis patrols, pilot programs, Secure Your Load Day, and the state’s litter prevention campaign. Learn more about the State Patrol.
The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission works to change driver behaviors to end traffic fatalities and injuries. They're a key partner in addressing unsecured vehicle loads, the annual Secure Your Load Day efforts, and the new statewide litter prevention campaign. Learn more about the Traffic Safety Commission.
Contact information
Amber Smith
Statewide litter prevention coordinator
amber.smith@ecy.wa.gov
360-688-4957
Ariona
Southwest Region litter administrator
Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-9601
Rod Hankinson
Central Region litter administrator
Counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima
rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7209
Justin Boneau
Northwest Region litter administrator
Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-3563
Ryan Plouse
Eastern Region litter administrator
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
ryan.plouse@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132