Beginning this month the Texas Department of Transportation is kicking off a new "Don't Mess with Texas" anti-litter campaign and it's called a "CANpaign."
The state's most well-known anti-litter campaign is being retooled to appeal to what the state says are the worse litterers: young adults from 16 to 34 years old.
The centerpiece of the campaign will be iconic red, white and blue "Don't Mess with Texas" trash barrels that will be popping at rest stops, tourist attractions, sports venues and other high-traffic locations.
More than 300 "Don't Mess with Texas" trash cans will appear in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton and Plano in North Texas.
TxDOT says since 2005 litter on Texas highways has increased by 33 percent. The agency says the most common form of litter, at 43 percent of all litter, is tobacco-related litter like cigarette butts, cigarette packs, etc. 13 percent of litter is nonalcoholic items like cans, cups and bottles.
TxDOT will use social media, its website, radio, TV and outdoor ads to remind people that littering is against state law, and violators 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.
Something you might find cool-- you can make your computer's trash can icon on your desktop a "Don't Mess with Texas" litter barrel through the campaign's website. (click here for more information)
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There's also a "Don't Mess with Texas" Report a Litterer app. (click here for more information) But take note, if you're using it for the first time and you've enabled your location, there's a good chance you will report litter right where you are sitting and there's no way to take it back.
More: DontMesswithTexas.org
