1     
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT

2     
OF A STATEWIDE ANTI-LITTERING CAMPAIGN

3     
2021 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Cheryl K. Acton

6     
Senate Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This concurrent resolution addresses littering in Utah and encourages the creation of a
11     statewide, long-term anti-littering campaign.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     recognizes the impact that littering has on our communities and environment;
15          ▸     addresses the benefits to implementing a statewide, long-term anti-littering
16     campaign;
17          ▸     recognizes the opportunity to inform manufacturers, distributors, packagers, and
18     retailers on ways they can help prevent littering; and
19          ▸     encourages the Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources,
20     Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Association of Counties, and the
21     Utah League of Cities and Towns to work with area experts and interested
22     stakeholders to explore the creation of a statewide, long-term anti-littering
23     campaign.
24     Special Clauses:
25          None
26     

27     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
28          WHEREAS, Utah is universally recognized as a place rich in natural scenic beauty,
29     with wetlands, forests, and alpine and desert biomes;

30          WHEREAS, Utah is home to over three million residents and more than 600 species of
31     mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, and annually hosts millions of visitors, all of
32     whom would benefit from renewed dedication to the cleanliness of our lands and waterways;
33          WHEREAS, trash, from plastic and paper cups, drink bottles and cans, snack wrappers,
34     straws, plastic shopping bags, and other consumer waste line many of our streets and highways,
35     lakes and rivers, and is scattered across parks, open spaces, and private properties creating
36     visual blight, habitat disruption, and other harmful effects on humans, domestic animals, and
37     wildlife;
38          WHEREAS, trash on the streets can clog storm water drains, exacerbate street flooding
39     during storm events, choke waterways, and create other harmful impacts and pollution in rivers
40     and lakes;
41          WHEREAS, the approximate annual cost to clean up litter on state highways in Utah
42     has increased each year between 2016 and 2020 with the costs for 2020 being in excess of $2.5
43     million and these costs do not include similar costs for local highways and will likely continue
44     to increase as the population in Utah increases if Utah does not pursue active measures to
45     address littering;
46          WHEREAS, the Division of Wildlife Resources has found that littering on public lands
47     is becoming a problem;
48          WHEREAS, the environmental cleanup of litter, once it has entered the storm water
49     system, is far more costly than the preventive efforts through civic engagement and public
50     awareness campaigns;
51          WHEREAS, a long-term anti-litter campaign provides a meaningful opportunity to
52     clean up Utah's land and water;
53          WHEREAS, Utah has not had a coordinated anti-littering campaign since the 1990s -
54     the "Don't Waste Utah" campaign;
55          WHEREAS, over the 30 continuous years since its launch, the "Don't Mess With
56     Texas" anti-litter campaign has become an iconic expression of community and culture with
57     signs dotting the highways and byways of the state, with friendly community "Trash-Off" clean

58     up competitions across the state, and with businesses proudly brandishing the "Don't Mess
59     With Texas" brand alongside their own;
60          WHEREAS, for the past four decades, New Mexico's anti-litter campaign, "Toss No
61     Mas," has evolved through local and regional movements in many New Mexico communities
62     to receive statewide support for the initiative;
63          WHEREAS, working unitedly for a clean environment is a solution in which every
64     resident and visitor to Utah can participate;
65          WHEREAS, the impacts of litter particularly are not just about cleanliness and
66     beautification, but have an important environmental effect as well;
67          WHEREAS, there is tremendous opportunity to work in partnership with
68     manufacturers, distributors, packagers, and retailers to address the sources of much of our litter,
69     exploring innovative and creative ways to reduce single-use disposable packaging and
70     containers; and
71          WHEREAS, a long-term anti-littering campaign will increase pride in Utah by
72     encouraging residents and visitors to be mindful of litter and its effects:
73          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
74     Governor concurring therein, encourages the Department of Transportation, the Department of
75     Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Association of
76     Counties, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns to work with area experts and interested
77     stakeholders to explore the creation of a statewide, long-term anti-littering campaign that
78     addresses littering by residents and visitors and the negative impact that littering has on our
79     environment, communities, and health.
80          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department
81     of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental
82     Quality, the Utah Association of Counties, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns.