800 tons of waste along the roads costs the state millions annually

Every year, litter is thrown out of car windows, costing the state a two-digit million dollar amount.

In 2024, a total of 800 tons of waste was collected along national highways, according to the Road Directorate.

This is stated by Charles Lykke Hansen, the leader of the Road Directorate.

- At least 20 million kroner are spent annually on collecting waste along highways across the country.

- We could save a lot of time if we didn't have to collect the waste, not even talking about the environmental impact, says Charles Lykke Hansen.

The Road Directorate collects both drink containers, bottles, and coffee cups along highways.

In addition, employees often see waste such as cans and plastic bags blowing off work vehicles on motorways.

Motorways around Copenhagen are "heavily loaded," when it comes to litter.

There are stretches where cleanup crews are out multiple times a week to remove waste.

- There is a risk that litter can spill onto the road near the cars. We have to ensure that this does not happen by collecting the waste, says Charles Lykke Hansen.

The collection of waste along national highways has remained at the same level over the past ten years.

During this period, the Road Directorate has removed between 700 and 900 tons of litter every single year.

Near fast food restaurants, a lot of waste is thrown out of car windows.

And especially in the metropolitan area, there are more laughter gas canisters on the roadside than before, says the leader.

The Road Directorate conducted a survey last year, where nine out of ten responded that it is very wrong to throw waste out of the car.

In the survey, 87 percent also responded that they never throw waste out of the car.

/ritzau/

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