'Don't Mess With Texas' Takes On Discarded PPE Equipment

AUSTIN, TX — In an age of pandemic, discarded personal protective equipment (PPE) — face masks, gloves, sanitizing wipes and other disease-related detritus — now dot the Texas landscape. As a result, the anti-littering "Don't Mess with Texas" campaign has now launched a series of public service announcements to discourage such wanton wastefulness.

In so doing, officials have recruited Oscar Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey (also known as the "Minister of Culture" at the University of Texas at Austin given his fixed presence at sporting events) along with legendary country & western singer George Strait.

The aim of the PSAs is to urge Texans to clean up their act in safely disposing of used PPE in a trash can. The PSAs will air on television networks, cable channels and digital platforms starting this week. Other Texas celebrities joining McConaughey and Strait in raising awareness about the issue are Mark Cuban, Eva Longoria, Marsai Martin, Ally Brooke and Brittany Broski. Each are using their social media channels to share a personal video message reminding followers that Don’t mess with Texas means don’t litter, state officials explained in an advisory.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a significant uptick in the amount of PPE litter," Becky Ozuna, program administrator for the Don’t mess with Texas campaign, said in a prepared statement. "Not only is it unsightly, it is also harmful to the environment and a danger to public health. When you’re done with your masks, gloves and wipes, do the right thing and dispose of them properly. This simple action helps keep Texas clean and safe.”

To promote pride in keeping Texas litter-free, Don’t mess with Texas cloth face masks are now available for purchase at TexasHighways.com in the Mercantile shop. The masks are washable and reusable, and include a pocket for a filter to be inserted.

Approximately 362 million pieces of litter accumulate on Texas roads every year with items discarded from vehicles accounting for half of all litter, officials said in reminding it is illegal to litter in Texas. Those who are caught littering can face a fine of $500, and fines can increase to $2,000 if the tossed litter weighs more than five pounds, officials said.

Don’t mess with Texas has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. The program includes a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, annual “Trash-Off” community outreach events and the Adopt-a-Highway volunteer program.