About
South Carolina’s Adopt-A-Highway program is a statewide volunteer initiative that allows community groups, businesses, schools, and organizations to “adopt” a stretch of state-maintained roadway and keep it clean through regular litter pickups.
Since 1987, Adopt-a-Highway volunteers have made a big difference on South Carolina’s highways—removing tons of litter and helping cut roadside debris by 60% over the past thirty years. But as our state grows, so does the challenge.
PalmettoPride, South Carolina’s anti-litter organization, leads the statewide Adopt-A-Highway program in coordination with the SC Department of Transportation. PalmettoPride manages the volunteer program, provides training, supplies, and support, while SCDOT maintains issues all program signage and handles the removal and disposal of collected litter. With more than 41,000 miles of state-maintained roads—the 4th largest system in the nation—there’s plenty of ground to cover. Right now, only about 10% of those roads are adopted.
As South Carolina’s population continues to surge, state and local agencies simply can’t keep up with the demand for clean roadways. That’s why our volunteers are more important than ever. Their commitment helps protect the places we call home and keeps our state looking its best.
How you can help us
Clean roads don’t just look better—they make our communities safer, more welcoming, and even help boost tourism and local economies. Anyone can participate in Adopt-a-Highway! Scout troops, school clubs, churches, neighborhood groups, Greek organizations, and local businesses all jump in to adopt a highway and show their South Carolina pride. When your group adopts a stretch of road, you’re helping protect our natural beauty and building a shared sense of pride across the state. Plus, every bit of litter you remove frees up resources that can go toward road repairs, construction, and other improvements that benefit everyone.
Benefits of participating
Participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program offers meaningful benefits that go beyond simply picking up litter. While anyone can choose to clean a roadside on their own, the formal Adopt-A-Highway process ensures your efforts have long-term impact and proper support. Approved groups receive official roadway signage, which provides visibility and recognition for your organization. Your cleanup results are counted toward statewide litter-reduction goals, and your coordinator arranges trash removal so you are not responsible for disposal. The program also provides safety guidance, supplies, and opportunities for publicity through PalmettoPride and local partners. By completing the formal steps, your group becomes part of an organized, tracked, statewide effort to keep South Carolina clean and beautiful.
How it works
- Contact your AAH County Coordinator to check availability of a two-mile state-maintained roadway or be assigned a location.
- Neither federally or locally-maintained roads are eligible for adoption through this program.
- County coordinators often work in local SCDOT maintenance offices, but other countywide programs are operated through the local KSCB affiliate or municipal government.
- If you aren’t able to get in touch with a county coordinator, please contact info@palmettopride.org.
- Complete the Agreement Form (or the One-Time Cleanup Form if you cannot commit to four cleanups a year for two years).
- Return your form to your AAH County Coordinator and allow time for approval.
- After approval, your coordinator will review safety requirements and explain how to get supplies.
- Pick up supplies through your coordinator, local KSCB affiliate, or PalmettoPride. SCDOT provides the official orange Adopt-A-Highway bags and safety vests, while PalmettoPride supplies items such as signage, gloves, and grabbers. Please note: Only the orange bags are used for Adopt-A-Highway cleanups so SCDOT crews can easily identify and remove them. Bags of other colors may not be recognized or collected promptly.
Requirements
When your group joins the Adopt-A-Highway program, you become a partner in one of South Carolina’s most effective litter-prevention efforts. To keep the program consistent, safe, and successful statewide, participating groups commit to the following:
- Adopt a two-mile stretch of state-maintained roadway: Each group is assigned (or may request) a specific two-mile segment. This ensures that all adopted roads receive consistent care and that volunteers know exactly where their responsibilities begin and end.
- Complete four cleanups per year: Groups agree to clean their adopted roadway at least once every quarter. This schedule keeps litter from building back up and provides reliable, year-round coverage across the state. Cleanups can be done more frequently if your group chooses.
- Participate for a minimum of two years: A two-year commitment ensures stability within the program and allows time for your group’s efforts to make a visible, lasting impact. Long-term participation also helps maintain clean, safe roads and strengthens community pride.
- Follow all safety guidelines and program requirements: The Adopt-A-Highway program prioritizes volunteer safety. Groups must follow state-approved safety procedures, use required gear (such as vests and signage), and comply with program rules that protect both volunteers and motorists.
- Report cleanup data after each event: Submitting your results helps track statewide litter trends, measure progress, and secure continued support for the program. Your data directly contributes to South Carolina’s litter-reduction strategy.
- Coordinate with your assigned Adopt-A-Highway County Coordinator: Your coordinator is your primary resource for questions, safety guidance, forms, and supply availability. They help ensure your cleanups are organized and recognized.
Local programs
While PalmettoPride manages the SC Adopt-a-Highway program, there are other municipality-driven opportunities to be the caretaker for designated locations in your communities. If these programs are not preexisting in your area, consider contacting your local KSCB affiliate or municipal government to pave the way.