The initiative brings communities together to remove litter from storm drains, waterways, and shorelines while collecting data to help the state better understand how litter moves and how to prevent it.
With approximately 80% of marine litter starting on land, preventing litter before it reaches rivers, lakes, bayous, and coastal areas is essential. Wind, rain, and runoff wash discarded items into storm drains and ditches, allowing litter to travel from neighborhoods and roadsides into Louisiana’s vast network of 14,400 miles of waterways.
As Love Our Waterways continues statewide throughout September, Keep Louisiana Beautiful encourages residents to get involved in one of more than 300 registered events by cleaning storm drains, waterways, and shorelines in their communities. Find a cleanup in your area or register an event at LoveLAWaterways.org.
The 2026 Keep America Beautiful National Litter Study estimates nearly 35 billion pieces of litter exist nationwide. While national litter levels declined by 34% between 2020 and 2025, the study shows lasting progress depends on changing the everyday behaviors causing litter in the first place.
“Louisiana’s waterways are a big part of what makes this state so special. People come from all over the world to fish, boat, explore, and enjoy our way of life. Keeping them clean starts with all of us, and it doesn’t take a big effort to make a difference,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
The study found roughly 1,300 pieces of litter per mile along surface waterways, with 78% measuring four inches or smaller. These small items, such as bottle caps, wrappers, and plastic fragments, are easy to overlook, but they make up a significant share of waterway litter.
“Cleanup is an important part of the solution, but we also need to pay attention to what the litter is telling us,” said Susan Russell, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director.
Do your part by picking up litter when you see it, choosing reusable items such as a refillable water bottle, shopping bags, or food containers, keeping your truck bed clean, and keeping a dedicated trash bag in your vehicle, golf cart, or boat so you always have a place to discard waste.
Louisianans can support Love Our Waterways by joining a volunteer event or organizing their own cleanup of any scale. For details, cleanup locations, or to register an event, visit LoveLAWaterways.org.