The Ohio Department of Transportation maintains almost 50,000 lane miles of state highway and 80,000 acres of right-of-way. We have a lot of ground to cover – and unfortunately, so does litter. Yes, we see it, too.

From as small as a cigarette butt to as large as an old mattress, litter is ugly, expensive, and illegal under any circumstance. Littering is a misdemeanor in Ohio, and it can be punished with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Motorists can be charged or ticketed for litter released by any occupant of their vehicle.

Despite all this, ODOT must expend approximately $4 million every year combatting litter along the state transportation system. Sadly, that time and money addresses an issue that's 100% preventable.