›› Adopt-A-Road Program

What is the Adopt-A-Road Program?

The Salem County Adopt-A-Road Program supports the ongoing effort to beautify Salem County. The program provides citizens with the opportunity to help Salem County achieve its goals of safe, attractive, and litter-free roadways. The Salem County Adopt-A-Road Program also raises the public's awareness to the increase of roadside trash and also promotes and establishes the stewardship of public lands by citizens with cooperation between the public and government to resolve a common problem.

The problem of litter in the State of New Jersey is serious. Salem County, though sparsely populated and rural in nature, is especially susceptible to the litter problem due to the large number of vehicles which utilize its 354 miles of roadway.

Salem County encourages its visitors to tour its scenic highways. It must be remembered, that even the most scenic drive is spoiled by the sight of litter thoughtlessy disposed.

The most common type of litter found on highways is paper, including fast-food containers, followed by cans and bottles. Larger items such as tires, auto parts, and household appliances can also be found.

How Does it Work?

Person(s) or groups may "Adopt" a minimum of a one mile section of a county road for at least a period of two (2) years, after signing an agreement with the Salem County Utilities Authority. The agreement States:

• The person(s) or group must "pick-up" at least four (4) times a year,
• and the person(s) must be at least eighteen years old, In the case of a group, the group must designate a leader who is at least eighteen (18) years old,
• and the leader will ensure that safety is a priority, that each participant uses the safety equipment,
• and the leader will separate trash from recyclables,
• and the leader will complete two (2) quick forms after each litter "pick-up" to provide collection information

The Salem County Utilities Authority supplies on-going safety equipment for each participant for the entire period the road is adopted. These supplies include: safety vests, gloves, safety signs, and plastic bags for trash and recyclables. Each person or group is responsible for proper disposal of all trash collected and recycling of all recyclables collected during the required four (4) times a year "pick-ups". The Salem County Utilities Authority will purchase and install two (2) permanent signs and posts, each with an Adopt-A-Road Program sign, identifying the person or group's name responsible for the "adopted" stretch of road. These signs are posted at the designated stretch in each direction.

Adopt-A-Road or Adopt-A-Highway...

Applications are now being accepted online, please use the form to the left.
Please check the spelling of all information that is to be printed on your signs.


Salem County joins the State of New Jersey which sponsors a
similar program called Adopt-A-Highway.

For information on adopting a State Highway contact:


New Jersey Department of Transportation
Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator 1035
Parkway Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08625

Or call: 1-800-2-ADOPT 1.

Local municipalities also sponsor adopt-a-road programs on municipal roads.

Contact your local Municipal Clean Communities Coordinator for more information on local, municipal roads available for adoption.