Litter remains a persistent issue on Texas roads despite efforts to combat it with initiatives like the "Don’t mess with Texas" campaign, which has been active since 1985. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) spends approximately $50 million annually on clearing trash from state roadways.

Litter is categorized by TxDOT as either "large litter," items over two inches in size, or "micro litter," smaller than two inches. The majority of roadside trash includes beverage containers, with drivers discarding near half of all litter on roads maintained by TxDOT. Even if items are biodegradable or recyclable, they are considered litter if not correctly disposed of. Improper disposal poses environmental risks, such as attracting animals to roadsides where they could be harmed, and creating fire hazards, notably with cigarette filters.

Cigarette filters, composed of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, represent a significant micro litter issue as they are not biodegradable as some might think. These filters take about 15 years to decompose, highlighting the long-term environmental impact.

Littering isn't always intentional. Items can inadvertently become litter when they fly out of vehicles. This contributes to the collection of around 362 million pieces of litter on Texas roads each year, equating to over 11 pieces per Texan annually.

TxDOT road crews have made notable progress, reducing large litter on roads by 63% between 2013 and 2023. However, public involvement is crucial. TxDOT encourages residents to carry bags for litter in vehicles, report litter via their online system, secure items in truck beds, and consider participating in programs like Adopt-A-Highway or the annual Don’t mess with Texas Trash-off to further reduce litter.

The growing population in Texas means the litter problem will persist unless all residents contribute to the solution. Visit the Don’t mess with Texas website for more information on how to help.