TxDOT rolls out 12-foot trash ball in anti-litter campaign

Workers for Blue Genie Art Industries adjust a 12 foot ball of trash being assembled on the south lawn of the State Capitol south lawn by TxDot to illustrate the problem of littering on Texas roads on April 29, 2015. less Workers for Blue Genie Art Industries adjust a 12 foot ball of trash being assembled on the south lawn of the State Capitol south lawn by TxDot to illustrate the problem of littering on Texas roads on April ... more Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close TxDOT rolls out 12-foot trash ball in anti-litter campaign 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — A 12-foot ball of trash sat on the South Lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday as part of the state’s anti-litter campaign.

The hollow ball was created from trash picked up by volunteers along state highways to demonstrate the impact of even the smallest pieces of trash, according ot the Texas Department of Transportation.

“As Texans we enjoy our freedoms and our liberties, but that also comes with the responsibility to keep it clean and leave it better than the way we found it,” said Jeff Austin, the TxDOT commissioner

The department used the giant trash ball to create awareness and unveil new public service announcements, along with the ball and red, white and blue “Don’t Mess with Texas” trash cans.

According to Austin, litter clean up on highways cost $35 million last year. Small trash such as cigarette butts and napkins make up 70 percent of the litter found on Texas highways.

“We made a nice dent, but that’s not going to clean it all up,” Austin said. “As Texans we enjoy our freedoms and our liberties, but also comes with the responsibility to keep it clean and leave it better than the way we found it.”

ncobler@express-news.net