1
2
3
4
5
6
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, interested stakeholders,
22 regional partners, and the federal government to explore the creation of a statewide,
23 long-term anti-littering 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, because a large percentage of Utah is federally managed public lands, the
54 participation of federal agencies in the process, including providing financial support, would
55 benefit the implementation of an anti-littering campaign;
56 WHEREAS, Utah has not had a coordinated anti-littering campaign since the 1990s -
57 the "Don't Waste Utah" campaign;
58 WHEREAS, over the 30 continuous years since its launch, the "Don't Mess With
59 Texas" anti-litter campaign has become an iconic expression of community and culture with
60 signs dotting the highways and byways of the state, with friendly community "Trash-Off" clean
61 up competitions across the state, and with businesses proudly brandishing the "Don't Mess
62 With Texas" brand alongside their own;
63 WHEREAS, for the past four decades, New Mexico's anti-litter campaign, "Toss No
64 Mas," has evolved through local and regional movements in many New Mexico communities
65 to receive statewide support for the initiative;
66 WHEREAS, working unitedly for a clean environment is a solution in which every
67 resident and visitor to Utah can participate;
68 WHEREAS, the impacts of litter particularly are not just about cleanliness and
69 beautification, but have an important environmental effect as well;
70 WHEREAS, there is tremendous opportunity to work in partnership with
71 manufacturers, distributors, packagers, and retailers to address the sources of much of our litter,
72 exploring innovative and creative ways to reduce single-use disposable packaging and
73 containers; and
74 WHEREAS, a long-term anti-littering campaign will increase pride in Utah by
75 encouraging residents and visitors to be mindful of litter and its effects:
76 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
77 Governor concurring therein, encourages the Department of Transportation, Department of
78 Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Association of Counties,
79 and the Utah League of Cities and Towns to work with area experts, interested stakeholders,
80 regional partners, and the federal government to explore the creation of a statewide, long-term
81 anti-littering campaign that addresses littering by residents and visitors and the negative impact
82 that littering has on our environment, communities, and health.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department
84 of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental
85 Quality, the Utah Association of Counties, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns.