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NCDOT has already collected 2 million pounds of litter from roads in 2021

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said more than 2 million pounds of litter have been collected from state roads in the last two months.

Posted Updated

By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL multiplatform producer

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said more than 2 million pounds of litter have been collected from state roads in the last two months.

Since Jan. 1, NCDOT crews, contractors and volunteers have picked up 2.15 million pounds of litter.

The state says it's far too high of a number, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to fewer people on the roadways.

"Our efforts in the first two months of this year represent the largest accumulation of roadside litter since the pandemic began," an NCDOT spokesperson told WRAL News.

According to the NCDOT, litter costs millions of dollars to clean up, is bad for the environment and can hurt tourism.

People can help reduce litter on the roadways by:

  • Securing their loads before driving
  • Holding on to trash until it can be disposed of properly
  • Recycling whenever possible

It's also recommended to keep a litter bag in your car so you can properly dispose of trash later.

North Carolinians looking to help keep the state’s roadways clean can volunteer for the upcoming Spring Litter Sweep, which will run from April 10-24. Volunteers will be provided with trash bags, gloves and safety vests.

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