Thirty years after the Texas Department of Transportation launched its “Don’t mess with Texas” anti-litter campaign the spirited call-to-action is still going strong.

To celebrate the campaign’s third decade, Boy Scouts in Texas can earn a commemorative 30th anniversary “Don’t mess with Texas” merit badge for achieving a litter cleanup requirement during Saturday’s annual “Don’t mess with Texas” Trash-Off and other litter pickup events throughout the year. The “Don't mess with Texas” Trash-Off (Saturday, April 9) is a partnership between TxDOT and Keep Texas Beautiful and is the single largest one-day roadway cleanup effort in the state. Last year, 1,500 trash-off events across Texas resulted in more than 85,000 volunteers collecting more than 10 million pounds of waste and recyclables. To volunteer or learn more, visit www.DontMessWithTexas.org.

Small Trash, Big Mess
In Texas each year, nearly half a billion pieces of visible litter still pile up along state-maintained highways. Seventy percent of this litter is small trash like napkins, cigarette butts and fast food wrappers. In 2015, litter cleanup efforts cost $32 million. Violators can face fines starting at $500.

The Stars of Texas
In 1986, legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan helped launch TxDOT’s inaugural “Don’t mess with Texas” campaign. Since then, Texas celebrities like George Strait, Willie Nelson and Erykah Badu have lent their voices and support. The newest generation of “Don’t mess with Texas” celebrities includes Lukas Nelson, the Eli Young Band and Grupo Fantasma. And to close out 2016, our newest PSA features the Texas Legend, Earl Campbell.