Don't Mess With Texas Study Shows People Are Trashy

SAN ANGELO, TX - Over the past decade, Texas has witnessed a 63.2 percent reduction in overall “large litter,” marking a positive trend in roadside cleanliness, according to the Don't Mess With Texas Program. 

This improvement is consistent across all types of roadways.

“Help us keep this positive trend going by properly disposing of your trash and spreading the message to your friends and family,” the Don’t Mess With Texas Program stated. “Litter in Texas is a big problem, and we’ve been hard at work researching the cost of litter in Texas. Using everything from behavior and attitude studies to visible litter studies, we’ve been collecting data (and litter) to best assess how to approach the problem head-on and determine the most effective methods to end litter in Texas forever.”

Here are some key facts from the Don't Mess With Texas Program's research:

• 362 Million Pieces Annually: Approximately 362 million pieces of litter accumulate on Texas roads each year.
• Age Group Most Likely to Litter: Texans aged 16 to 34 are identified as the demographic most likely to engage in littering.
• Micro Litter Dominance: 71 percent of litter consists of micro litter, items two inches or smaller, including cigarette butts, straws, and gum wrappers.
• Tire Debris Impact: Tire debris constitutes 29 percent of visible litter in Texas, particularly prevalent along interstates.
• Vehicle Contribution: Half of all litter along Texas roads originates from items discarded from cars and trucks.
• Vehicle Debris Breakdown: Vehicle debris, encompassing blown tires, car crash remnants, and car maintenance litter, accounts for 35 percent of visible litter.
• Cigarette Butts Leading Microlitter: Cigarette butts comprise the largest portion of microlitter in Texas.
• Recyclables in Litter: Recyclables, such as beverage containers and paper, make up 25% of litter on Texas roads.
• Fines for Littering: Littering in Texas can result in fines up to $500, escalating to $2,000 for items weighing more than five pounds.
• Definition of Litter: Litter includes improperly disposed items, emphasizing that even organic waste like apple cores and banana peels fall under this category.

In 2023, a comprehensive survey by the program examined various road types maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation statewide. 

Despite population and vehicle increases, the presence of large litter has decreased by more than 60 percent in the last decade. However, challenges persist with micro-litter and recyclable product litter.

For detailed insights, the complete 2023 Litter Study Executive Summary and full report are available for review on the Don't Mess With Texas Program's website.