In 1985, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) launched an ad campaign to encourage citizens to take care of their state and stop littering. This slogan has been repeated countless times by presidents, athletes, super stars and ordinary Texans. We all know it well. “Don’t mess with Texas!”
In the 1990s, KTB joined the effort by encouraging their affiliates to participate. In 2003, over 1 million pounds of trash were picked up by more than 100,000 Adopt-a-Highway and KTB volunteers. Since 1994, volunteers have picked up more than 14 million tons of trash on Texas highways. The Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off (DMWTTO) was launched as part of the nationwide Great American Cleanup. The DMWTTO served as the signature event for Texas and encouraged citizens to not only stop littering, but go out into the community and clean it up. For over 30 years now, Texans have gathered every April to clean up their roadways under the Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off banner. Last year alone, over 30,000 Texans removed 2 million pounds of litter from 3,410 miles of Texas roadways.
Join in and help make this impact even bigger for 2019. Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off participants receive FREE supplies from Keep Texas Beautiful, including trash bags, recycle bags, vinyl gloves, work gloves, two Great American Cleanup banners and one DMWTTO t-shirt. Register your event, access resources and request supplies at www.ktb.org/dmwtto. You can also find a DMWTTO event happening near you on our calendar of events.
Calling all Scout Troops:
During the DMWTTO, Keep Texas Beautiful encourages Texas scout troops to participate. Any troop interested in holding a roadside litter cleanup in their community can register for a FREE supply kit and FREE patches. For more information and to register, visit our Scout Pack webpage.
DMWTTO Requirements:
As a TxDOT sponsored event, the Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off has some specific requirements. In order to be a part of the DMWTTO, you must hold your event in April (any date from April 1-30) and it must be roadside litter removal. If you cannot schedule an event for April or your event does not include roadside litter removal, you can still be a part of the Great American Cleanup.This larger event, which includes DMWTTO, runs from March 1-May 31 and is open to all activities involving litter removal, beautification, recycling and education.
DMWTTO Trademark:
Participants interested in using the Don’t mess with Texas logo must receive prior approval from TxDOT as Don’t mess with Texas® is federally registered and owned by TxDOT, thus cannot be used without permission. The use of the Don’t mess with Texas® logo for the printing of t-shirts is not allowed, regardless of if they are not for profit. You may use the Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off® logo, as part of our agreement with TxDOT, but the Don’t mess with Texas® logo by itself cannot be used.
Any questions? Feel free to reach out to ktbcleanup@ktb.org. In the meantime, feel free to check out our website and get inspired to host your own cleanup this month or join on of hundreds happening across Texas!
Blog Post Written By Karen Maldonado, Program Coordinator.
