The "Don't Mess with Texas" campaign and Buc-ee's are teaming up to fight litter.
Beginning this month, drivers in Texas will see billboards featuring two iconic Texas-born brands, the Texas Department of Transportation's "Don't mess with Texas" and Buc-ee's, along major travel routes to remind drivers to keep trash inside their cars until their next stop at a Buc-ee's location, according to a news release from TxDOT.
Drivers also will see reminders of the campaign at Buc-ee's stores across Texas, including the famous "Don't mess with Texas" trash barrels, cross-branded merchandise and signs educating visitors on properly disposing of trash to keep Texas litter-free.
"Buc-ee's and 'Don't Mess with Texas' represent two iconic brands that are each as big as Texas," said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr. in a news release. "We're excited to work with Buc-ee's to remind its millions of customers and everyone who sees its iconic billboards that 'Don't mess with Texas' really means don't litter."
The collaboration between "Don't mess with Texas" and Buc-ee's will also extend to the community. The two are teaming up on education initiatives shared in schools to teach younger generations the importance of keeping Texas clean and picturesque. The two brands also will work together to host trash cleanups in Texas communities including the "Don't mess with Texas" Trash-Off statewide cleanup day, which occurs annually in April.
"We want Texas' roads to be as clean as Buc-ee's restrooms," said Buc-ee's founder and owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin. "Texans are proud of their state and we at Buc-ee's are proud to be Texan. We look forward to sharing the litter-free message with travelers as they ride along our great Texas highways."
Texas has been a leader in the battle against litter, and the "Don't mess with Texas" campaign has been vital to this success. However, litter remains a problem in the state. About 362 million pieces of visible litter accumulate on Texas roadways each year, according to the news release. The most common forms of litter are food or organic material, such as banana peels and apple cores, cigarette butts and small pieces of paper, such as receipts and gum wrappers. Those who litter can face a fine starting at $500 and up to $2,000.
"Don't mess with Texas" has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. The campaign is the signature initiative for TxDOT's litter prevention programs, which include Adopt-a-Highway, a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful and the community outreach and cleanup event - the "Don't mess with Texas" Trash-Off. For additional information on "Don't mess with Texas," visit dontmesswithtexas.org.
-Texas Department of Transportation