Cities across Texas spend more than $50 million annually on litter and illegal dumping. Litter is more than just an ugly sight; it’s a public and environmental health hazard. From plastic bottles along the roadside to debris floating in waterways, litter contributes to the spread of disease, harms wildlife, and degrades ecosystems.
To tackle this growing issue, HARC, in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, developed the Texas Litter Database.
This state-wide litter tracking system allows residents, organizations, and researchers to study, track, remove, and prevent litter from accumulating across Texas. HARC’s role in this project included designing the Texas Litter Database, mapping, data analysis, and connecting community efforts with data driven research to better understand litter patterns to develop effective solutions.
The Texas Litter Database empowers individuals and communities to contribute – whether through quick plastic bottle counts or more detailed litter audits. All data is stored in a centralized, publicly accessible database. This resource strengthens statewide collaboration, offers insight into litter patterns, and supports related policy and infrastructure improvements.
In other words, this tool helps Texans do better together!
Click here to access the Texas Litter Database tool.
