Monroe County Indiana Solid Waste Management District - Recycling, Waste Management, Green Business, Adopt-A-Road, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Education

Are there any costs involved?
No. Trash bags, safety vests, gloves, and road signs are provided free of charge by the District. The used bags are to be left along the adopted stretch of road for collection. All other items must be returned within three (3) business days after the clean-up.

Do I sort the road trash for recycling?
Sorting trash is not required, but we encourage everyone to recycle and this can be accomplished very easily. As you start your pick up, decide who will pick up which items. You'll have two teams - the Recycle Team and the Clean-up team. The Recycle Team walks first, then the Clean-up Team follows. The Recycle team uses blue trash bags. Someone picks up recyclable glass and metal, while another picks up plastic bottles. The clean up team uses yellow trash bags and picks up everything else.

How do I handle items found along the road that are too large for a trash bag?
Especially during your first clean-up, you may find items that are too large for the collections bags, such as car parts and small appliances. Simply place these larger items next to the bags along the road.

How often am I supposed to pick up litter on my adopted road?
We ask that the participants schedule four pick-ups per year, but you are not limited to this number. In the summer, it would be a good idea to check with the Highway Garage at (812) 825-5355 to see when the mowing crews will be trimming grass and shrubs along your adopted road. It's a lot easier to pick up trash that hasn't been shredded by a mower.

What about dead animals and hazardous materials?
Use good common sense. Do not touch, move, or pick up hazardous materials, dead animals, broken glass, or other harmful items. To report hazardous materials, call our Environmental Compliance Inspector, Doug Bemish, at (812) 349-2953. To report dead animals alongside the roadside within the City of Bloomington, call Animal Control at (812) 349-3492. If the road is outside city limits, call the Monroe County Highway Department at (812) 825-5355.

Who is eligible to pick up roadside litter?
Responsible individuals are encouraged to be part of a clean-up crew. Children 12-16 may participate in the program if properly supervised with a minimum of 1 adult for every 3 children. Children under the age of 12 are NOT permitted to participate for safety reasons.