Press Room

Please visit this page regularly for the latest news and upcoming events.

Media Contact:

Kelly Taft
Communications Manager
Maricopa Association of Governments
602-452-5020
Contact by E-mail

Latest news:

Most Common Litter: Biodegradable Trash, Small Paper, Cigarette Butts

PHOENIX (Nov. 3, 2011) – Before you toss that cigarette butt or apple core out the car window, consider this: It might stay there for years, attracting other litter, injuring wildlife, and impacting our economy by driving away tourists and business. Yet an annual survey conducted by Westgroup Research on behalf of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) finds that biodegradable food items, small pieces of paper, and cigarette butts continue to top the list of the most commonly littered items in Maricopa County. Read More…

2011 Litter Evaluation Survey

Call for Entries for Design-A-Litterbag Contest

PHOENIX (Sept. 15, 2011) – Budding high school artists in Maricopa County will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity while helping the environment through a Design-A-Litterbag Contest being launched today by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). The contest is being conducted as part of the Don’t Trash Arizona litter prevention program, and seeks to engage teenaged drivers and high school students in a fun way while informing them about the negative impacts of litter on Valley freeways. Read More…

Governor Proclaims July 1 Don’t Trash Arizona! Day

On July 1, Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer proclaimed the day as Don’t Trash Arizona Day. This momentous day not only recognized the 5^th anniversary of the Don’t Trash Arizona Program, it also kicked-off the long Fourth of July holiday when many families are known to hit the road. However, the Fourth of July isn’t the only time during the summer that Arizonans travel; every weekend gives us great reason to take a road trip. Unfortunately, more time spent on Valley roadways can result in more litter. So while July 1, and our official day has passed, we ask that as you travel our freeways you treat every day as Don’t Trash Arizona Day!

PHOENIX (June 29, 2011) – In recognition of five years of litter education and prevention efforts to reduce litter on our state and regional highways, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has proclaimed July 1, 2011, as Don’t Trash Arizona! Day. Read More…

Survey Shows Don’t Trash Arizona Program Picking Up Momentum

PHOENIX (Feb. 28, 2011) – Maricopa County residents are recording positive changes in their levels of awareness and behavior when it comes to reducing litter, with 74 percent reporting they did not litter at all during the previous 12-month period. Those are among the findings of an annual survey conducted for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) late last year as part of the Don’t Trash Arizona Litter Prevention and Education Program. Read More…

Keep America Beautiful Announces Results of Nation’s Largest Study of Litter and Littering Behavior

WASHINGTON – (Dec. 3, 2009) – National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful (www.kab.org) has announced the results of the largest litter study ever conducted in the U.S. The study identifies and dissects the causes, effects and costs of litter in America, and is the first major national survey of litter in the U.S. in 40 years.
Read More…

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.
Read More…

Don’t Trash Arizona!
Awarded PRSA’s Silver Anvil Award of Excellence

Anti-Litter Campaign Earns National Recognition for Innovation and Creativity

NEW YORK (June 16, 2009) —
Don’t Trash Arizona,
an anti-litter campaign conducted jointly by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), has received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Award of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented to the agencies during the Silver Anvil Awards Evening held June 4 in New York City. Also recognized for the campaign was RIESTER, which assists MAG in the implementation of the campaign.
Read More…

Super Bowl Week Message:
Don’t Trash Arizona

50,000 Litter Bags Distributed to Visitors at Event and in Rental Cars

PHOENIX (Jan. 25, 2008) – More than 150,000 tourists are expected to converge on the Valley for Super Bowl XLII. With this exposure comes a unique opportunity to show visitors the unparalleled beauty that only Arizona offers. Proponents of the Don’t Trash Arizona! campaign hope to use the week to remind residents and visitors alike to help us maintain that beauty by keeping our roadways clean.
Read More…

Anti-Trash Costume Bash Features Recyclable Costumes

Competition Encourages Students:
Don’t Trash Arizona!

PHOENIX (Oct. 21, 2007) – Arizona State University (ASU) students will be dressing up in some pretty trashy costumes this Halloween. To promote litter-free highways and to spread the message, “Don’t Trash Arizona,” ASU students will compete in an “Anti-Trash Costume Bash” featuring costumes made almost completely from recyclable materials.
Read More…