More debris and litter on Utah roads blamed on population growth
Jul 17, 2025, 3:00 PM
FILE: Cleanup crews contracted through the Utah Department of Transportation pick up litter and roadside debris along eastbound I-215 between Redwood Road and I-15 in Murray on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Kristin Murphy/ Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/ Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — You’ve probably noticed more debris and litter while driving on Utah’s freeways . The Utah Department of Transportation points directly to population growth as the reason.
“With the growth we’re experiencing I think it’s something we’re always going to have to continue to keep a close eye on,” said UDOT spokesperson Mitch Shaw.
Information from the U.S. Census Bureau consistently puts Utah as one of the nation’s fastest growing states. In just one year, between July, 2023 and July, 2024, KSL.com reported an increase of 60,000 people.
New contractual litter program
Some good news is that UDOT has begun implementing a new contractual litter program. Funded by Utah lawmakers, this program adds at least six roadside cleanups along urban freeways across the state each year.
There are a few ways that individual Utahns can help with litter. Shaw urged drivers to secure their loads, and to consider volunteering to pick up trash through the Keeping Utah Beautiful program.
The program is a one-time volunteer opportunity which replaced the Adopt A Highway program in Utah.
“They can take a stretch of highway, a state road somewhere, go out and do a one-time clean up,” Shaw said. “And then they can sign up and do it again if they have an inkling to do that.”
This program does not place volunteers on major highways or on freeways, for safety concerns.
Utah businesses may also be interested in UDOT’s Sponsor A Highway program, which allows businesses to help and advertise through roadside signage sponsorships.
KSL NewsRadio’s Simone Seikaly contributed to this story.
