Uncovered Loads in Louisa County to Result in Fines; Free Cargo Net Option

LOUISA, VIRGINIA – Louisa County officials are urging residents to “cover their loads” when transporting waste, citing safety concerns, roadway hazards, and state law. Uncovered loads are illegal and subject to fines. 

In a presentation to the Louisa County Board of Supervisors on April 5, 2026, Louisa Clean noted their nonprofit group has collected over 3,300 bags of litter along County roads since March 2022 and added 26 road segments to the Adopt-a-Highway program. The group noted Mica Road and Moorefield Road leading to the Louisa County Landfill received seven scheduled pick-ups over the past year due to the high volume of litter, as opposed to the typical twice-a-year pick-up required by Adopt-a-Highway – highlighting the need for residents to secure waste when traveling to the landfill or refuse and recycling centers. 

“Louisa Clean’s work is incredibly valuable, inspiring, and culture changing – but the goal is to reduce the need for anyone to be roadside putting themselves at risk,” said Cuckoo District Supervisor Chris McCotter. “Uncovered loads are one of the biggest contributors to roadside litter, and it’s something we can fix as a community.”

Louisa Clean will be distributing free cargo nets to assist residents in covering their loads – helping minimize litter along roadways and avoiding citations for failure to obey Code of Virginia § 10.1-1424.

“We too often see trash falling out of cars and trucks, so we will be distributing these heavy-duty cargo nets until we run out,” said Jody Korman of Louisa Clean. “Cargo nets will be available at the landfill and refuse and recycling sites, and we hope to see them put to good use on vehicles in the County soon.” 

In addition to fines associated with uncovered loads, dumping trash as outlined in the Code of Virginia § 33.2-802 also represents risk of penalty across the Commonwealth. The Louisa Clean group reports a high number of water bottles, food items, glass and even mattresses collected – each not only causing unsightly views on shared roadways but also endangering animals attracted to the waste. 

Enforcement is scheduled to increase beginning this spring.