Washington Launched New Anti-Littering Campaign

The state is partnering with car washes to distribute free litter bags to residents.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Home Cleaning

Screen-print poster illustration of a reusable litter bag hanging in a car, evoking clean environmental habits in Washington state. — The Washington Department of Ecology has partnered with local car washes to distribute free reusable litter bags as part of a new campaign to reduce roadside trash. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe public awareness campaigns are effective at reducing littering in your local community?

The Washington Department of Ecology has launched a statewide anti-littering initiative called Simple As That. The program aims to curb the nearly 38 million pounds of trash dropped on public roads each year.

Why it matters

State research found that the lack of a designated trash bag inside vehicles is a primary cause of road litter. The new campaign seeks to change this behavior through business partnerships and public awareness.

Cleanup efforts cost the state approximately $17 million annually. A 2022 study identified cigarette butts, food wrappers, snack bags, glass bottles, and construction debris as the most common items found on roads.

The players

Washington Department of Ecology

This state agency is responsible for protecting the environment and managing land and water quality throughout Washington.

Kevin the Marmot

Kevin is a marmot mascot featured in the department campaign to encourage residents to properly dispose of their trash.

The details

The campaign features video advertisements starring a marmot mascot named Kevin. Participating car washes across Washington are now providing free reusable car litter bags to help drivers keep vehicles clean.

A statewide litter study was conducted in 2022.
Crews collected 2,567 tons of trash throughout 2025.
The Simple As That campaign launched on October 1, 2026.
Participating car washes are distributing bags in October 2026.
A new litter study is scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Culture Shift

This initiative reflects a shift toward evidence-based behavioral intervention in environmental policy. By addressing the lack of interior car storage as a root cause, the state moves beyond reactive cleanup toward proactive prevention of public littering habits.

Drivers can request a free reusable litter bag at participating car washes to improve their in-vehicle waste management. This simple addition is designed to prevent small items like food wrappers and snack bags from being discarded out of windows.

The takeaway

The campaign highlights the effectiveness of removing small logistical barriers to improve public behavior. Drivers who maintain a dedicated bin inside their vehicle are significantly less likely to contribute to the millions of pounds of waste collected annually.