When we see litter along roads and in green spaces, it’s easy to assume it all originates from people intentionally discarding trash. While there are some careless individuals who do that, many sources of litter are less obvious and often unintentional. With a little extra care, we can all play a role in keeping Texas clean and beautiful.
Even household trash can become litter. Loose or missing garbage lids, gusty winds, and curious critters like raccoons can scatter your waste across the neighborhood, turning your trash into someone else’s eyesore.
What you can do – Ensure your trash can has a secure, properly fitting lid. If your curbside receptacle is damaged, contact your city or waste hauler to request a replacement. Don’t let the local trash pandas have free reign over your garbage and dirty your neighborhood.
Driving along Texas roads and highways, you’ve likely seen countless pickup trucks and 18-wheelers hauling all kinds of materials. When these loads aren’t properly secured, debris, like aluminum cans, can easily fall out and become litter.
What you can do – Secure your loads with tarps or tie-downs before hitting the road, and don’t treat your truck bed like a trash can. Dispose of all items properly, especially the small ones that might get blown away.
Retail businesses often produce large amounts of packaging and delivery waste. If dumpsters aren’t covered properly, trash can spill out and spread, particularly during windy conditions.
What you can do – If you work at a retail business, ensure that your dumpsters have lids. Use locking bars if available to keep waste contained. And when you do your shopping, take some time to properly dispose of your plastic bags. Recycle them if you can!
Construction and demolition sites are notorious sources of litter, especially when debris isn’t secured with tarps or placed in proper receptacles. Storms only make the problem worse, scattering loose materials like plastic wrap, cardboard, and packing materials.
What you can do: If you work in construction, take extra care to secure trash that might blow away. Collect smaller pieces of trash in bags before placing them in dumpsters, and ensure dumpsters are closed whenever possible.
We get some unpredictable and dangerous weather in Texas. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and high winds can carry trash far from its original location, creating widespread litter.
What you can do – Secure your loose items before a storm arrives to keep them from blowing away or getting carried away. You can do your part to help clean up after the storm is over. A little bit of effort can go a long way in your community.
Car wrecks and tire blowouts can leave behind a trail of debris—tiny shards of plastic, scattered glass, and chunks of rubber. Despite emergency crews’ best efforts, it’s nearly impossible to collect every last piece of debris.
What you can do – Drive safely! Avoid accidents by keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you, being sensible with your speed, and keeping your tires properly inflated. Tires in good working order are safer because they provide better handling, traction, and braking. Did you know that keeping your tires properly inflated will burn less fuel and produce fewer air emissions?
By having a greater understanding of the many sources of litter, we can make some better choices in our daily lives to reduce the overall impact of litter on our environment. The result just might be a more pristine Texas.
