The increasing litter problem in North Louisiana: residents demand action

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A Shreveport resident is speaking out about a concerning amount of litter on local roadways and interstates. Recent data shows litter has been increasing in the area, and the lack of responsibility for clean-up highlights a larger issue in the state.

North Louisiana has the highest amount of litter in the state, according to a study by Keep Louisiana Beautiful that compiled statewide data in 2023. The most common items are beverage containers and lids. Bud Light/Budweiser was overwhelmingly the most common brand name of roadway litter. A statistic that can be used to hold the company accountable for its environmental impact.

“It really shows the places we can go and say, ‘Did you know that your product is littered more often than most in our state, and what can you do to help us? Could you put some advertising dollars on ways to recycle?” said Lynn Bryan, Keep Bossier Beautiful Executive Director.

The study shows that most litter comes from people throwing things out of their windows
or trucks without proper covering.

“So, what you are seeing on the roadways are the results of loads that have not been properly secured, which is illegal by the way,” said Erin Buchanan, Louisiana DOTD.

Residents are noticing. A Shreveport woman sent us an email to our “Your Voice Matters” submission requests saying, “There is a bad debris issue on the shoulders of I-220 Cross Lake Bridge, bridges from I-220 to 3132 and 3132 to I-20 west and east. It’s horrible and should be addressed. This is what visitors see coming into Shreveport. Thank you for doing this and allowing our voices to be heard. The overpasses and bridges are in bad need of cleanings, trash and road debris are everywhere.”

“So, Cross Lake Bridge is one we hear about a lot. It’s a very long bridge and very busy,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan explains that the Louisiana DOTD maintains state highways and interstates. While they have an agreement with the City of Shreveport for litter pick-up events for a minimum of four times per year, private contractors are also hired to mow and pick up litter.

“What we find is that when our crews go out and pick up that debris and litter, it is replaced almost as quickly as we can pick it up. So 48 hours later, it looks like no one was even out there. At that rate, it’s near impossible to keep the roadways as clean as we all would like them to be,” Buchanan said.

This shows the cultural awareness problem of littering in Louisiana.

“The culture of litter is so vast and widespread in our state,” Bryan said.

The Keep Louisiana Beautiful study also reveals that local residents are throwing out the majority of litter.

“It really is indicative of the mindset and culture we’ve got,” Buchanan said.

Changing that culture and mindset is the mission of Keep Bossier Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, where Lynn Bryan has spent the past five years hosting parish-wide clean-up campaigns and advocating for environmentally-friendly practices.

“It’s such good work, Alex. It’s so meaningful. It makes life better for so many people when we can help clean up our city and communities,” Bryan said.

The state is also cracking down and offering funding to help because litter costs Louisiana $91 million annually. The legislature provided DOTD with an additional $3 million in funding to improve highways. The lieutenant governor’s office provided grants to sheriff’s offices for litter enforcement.

“There’s a lot of money being put toward the issue of litter and debris,” Buchanan said.

Enforcement is also improving with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s financial backing to launch the 855-LA-Litter.

“Where anyone can call and report litter,” Bryan said.

Drivers can call to report the license plate number of someone seen throwing out trash on the roadway.

“This is powerful because it’s increasing the number of foot soldiers we have in our communities,” Bryan said.

Ultimately, it is about changing the culture and enforcement on the ground level.

“We all live in these communities as well and would love to see the beauty of our community shine through and not be covered in trash,” Buchanan said.

Keep Bossier Beautiful is always looking for volunteers to help clean up areas. They are ramping up for a nationwide movement called “America 250” under Keep America Beautiful to pick up 250 billion pieces of litter by America’s 250th birthday next summer.

We will continue to follow this significant issue of litter in the community by speaking with the City of Shreveport about their responsibilities and the number of tickets the sheriff’s offices have written thus far.