The following is a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation:
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Adopt-a-Highway groups and volunteers, will take to the road on Saturday, April 7, to remove litter off state right of way during the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off. The Trash-Off is part of TxDOT’s litter prevention program and the state’s largest one-day litter cleanup event, with multiple local events happening throughout the state.
“Drivers across the Lubbock District’s 17 counties are asked to pay extra attention and watch out for volunteers removing debris along state maintained right of way,” said Steve Warren, P.E., TxDOT Lubbock District engineer. “Without these volunteers, it could cost even more to keep Texas roads clean. We’re grateful for our dedicated volunteers who help keep Texas clean and we want to make sure they’re safe.”
The Trash-Off Volunteers include the members of more than 3,800 and Adopt-a-Highway (AAH) groups and more than 300 (Keep Texas Beautiful) KTB communities. AAH groups are in charge of highway cleanup, while KTB volunteers focus on neighborhoods, city streets and parks.
An estimated half-billion pieces of trash are tossed along state-maintained roadways annually. During last year’s Trash-Off, 1,911 Adopt-a-Highway and volunteer groups (59,000 volunteers) collected more than 2.3 million pounds of litter.
Texas is home to more than 25 million people. Approximately 1,000 people move into the state every day, many who may not realize that littering is against state law. Litterers can be fined up to $500 for the first offense. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail.
(News release from the Texas Department of Transportation)
