Since its launch in July 2021, the Clean California initiative led by Caltrans has removed over 3.4 million cubic yards of litter and debris from highways and public spaces across the state. This amount equals more than 136,000 garbage trucks filled with waste, enough to line more than 500 miles of Interstate 5 between Sacramento and San Diego.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced this milestone, highlighting the program’s impact over four years. The $1.2 billion Clean California effort is considered one of the administration’s most successful environmental programs, aiming to improve communities while supporting goals related to climate resilience, economic equity, and public safety.
The announcement follows the recent formation of a statewide task force focused on prioritizing encampment removal and providing services for individuals experiencing homelessness along state rights-of-way in California’s ten largest cities.
“Clean California has become an overwhelming success and a model our state can continue to build on. Yes, we’ve removed hundreds of thousands of garbage trucks worth of trash from our roads and highways, but it’s more than that — we’ve invested in communities all across our state with public art projects and parks, creating thousands of jobs and lifting up countless neighborhoods in need,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Collected items include 15,500 mattresses and 57,000 tires. The initiative also reports participation from over 72,000 community clean-up volunteers according to a survey by Keep America Beautiful. In addition to litter removal efforts by maintenance crews along highways and rights-of-way, Clean California has hosted 650 free dump days in both urban and rural areas.
A total of 639 pieces of art have been installed on highways as part of the program’s beautification efforts. There have been 314 beautification projects undertaken—including new parks, public art installations, transit station improvements—with 191 completed so far. The program has also created about 18,000 job opportunities.
So far, 110 communities have pledged to meet criteria for designation as a Clean California Community—demonstrating commitments toward zero litter policies as well as ongoing beautification—and thirty have achieved full designation status.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin stated: “Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, Clean California is revitalizing communities across the state. From Siskiyou County in the north to Imperial County in the south, and Kern County in the Central Valley — Clean California is restoring pride and creating spaces where communities thrive.”
One notable project funded $1.3 million for upgrades at a pedestrian overcrossing at State Route 156 and Geil Street in Castroville; improvements included landscaping enhancements, murals installation, sidewalk repairs and new fencing.
For further information about statewide infrastructure initiatives visit https://build.ca.gov/.
