SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Litter pick up had stopped due to a restriction since March due to health risk.

“Litter increases the risk of fire, pollutes our waterways, threatens wildlife and costs taxpayers millions of dollars to remove,” said Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director. “We ask all Californians to be part of the solution, dispose of trash responsibly and secure cargo loads before getting on the road.”

Tuesday, Caltrans and CHP have announced they will work together to not only clean up litter, a joint effort, but also work on enforcing the prevention of roadside litter as well.

Ways Californians can range from stowing a litter bag in your car to adopting a highway and removing litter.

CHP currently enforces anti-littering laws, last year issuing 3,100-plus citations.

“Not only is littering illegal, but there can be devastating consequences resulting from these senseless actions,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “A lit cigarette carelessly tossed from a window can start a brush fire, an unsecured cargo load can result in a collision, and the safety of a highway worker cleaning up the mess is at great risk.”

To learn more about the Adopt-a-Highway program visit the Caltrans website at www.ca.gov.