Don't Trash AZ

It’s ugly. It’s unhealthy. It’s unsafe. So why do people litter our freeways? Some may believe that one small piece of trash won’t matter. But even small pieces of litter add up to a giant problem: nearly 150,000 bags of trash are picked up off of Valley freeways every year. This litter not only ruins our beautiful desert vistas, it can also lead to traffic accidents and freeway delays when debris ends up in the roadway. Unsightly litter also impacts our economy when tourists and prospective businesses choose not to come back to our state due to a poor impression.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), has embarked on a Litter Education and Prevention Program to help reduce the amount of litter on Valley and state freeways. The message is simple: Don’t Trash Arizona!

Teens Can be Litter Police
in Online Don’t Trash Arizona! Web Game

PHOENIX (April 22, 2009) – The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) has launched a new interactive Web game that promotes anti-littering behavior and safety messages while keeping users entertained and coming back for more. The interactive game, Litter Patrol Arcade, targets teenagers in an effort to teach them the consequences of freeway littering before or about the time they get their driver’s licenses. Content is anchored in information from experts in anti-litter prevention and education.

The new online tool promotes key Don’t Trash Arizona messages through a series of themed interactive games with varying levels of expertise that encourage users to try, try again. While research conducted by MAG has found that young adults, primarily males ages 18 to 24, are most likely to litter, the goal of Litter Patrol Arcade is to reach teens as they are learning driving habits and developing attitudes toward littering. Younger kids are also expected to enjoy the game.