Adopt-A-Highway Moves from SCDOT to PalmettoPride
The SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and PalmettoPride announce a new
partnership with the statewide litter cleanup program Adopt-A-Highway. Beginning on October
15, 2012, PalmettoPride will assume management of the successful program of more than
2,500 local volunteer groups.
“Adding Adopt-A-Highway to our core program base will bring all the major statewide cleanup
programs under our umbrella,” said Linda Shadel, Director of PalmettoPride. “Along with
our Prideways program for interstate cleanup, Adopt-A-Highway will allow us to cover more
roadways in the state.”
John Walsh, SCDOT’s Deputy Secretary for Engineering, agreed that the partnership was a
positive move for the state. “PalmettoPride is going to be the face of the program. Litter is their
mission, and we’re very excited about the potential of the program going forward.”
SCDOT has been coordinating the Adopt-A-Highway program since its beginning in South
Carolina in 1987. The program originally began as pilot project in Beaufort County, and has
since expanded to all 46 counties.
PalmettoPride has been in operation in South Carolina since 2001. The non-profit organization
works with Keep America Beautiful affiliates, community groups, schools, governments and
concerned citizens to initiate cleanup events, education events and beautification projects. Their
programs have reduced litter by 59 percent. Volunteers have removed more than 27 million
pounds of trash and recyclables from South Carolina communities, waterways and forests.
The Adopt-A-Highway program will not change, according to representatives from both
agencies. In the partnership agreement, PalmettoPride will be responsible for daily
communications with county coordinators and local SCDOT offices, marketing, recruiting more
groups and planning all special events for the program. SCDOT will continue to pick up bags
after cleanups and maintain sign production and maintenance.
For more information on Adopt-A-Highway and PalmettoPride, please contact Sarah Lyles at
PalmettoPride at 803-758-6034 or slyles@palmettopride.org.