Keeping a city clean is about more than appearances—it’s about public health, protecting wildlife, and building community pride. The City of Dallas’ Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability stresses that reducing litter, preventing pollution, and managing waste responsibly are essential to a vibrant future.

One of the most effective actions residents can take is simple: keep garbage and recycling lids closed and avoid overfilling containers. Overflowing bins lead to scattered trash, clogged storm drains, and hazards for people and wildlife. Cigarette butts are especially damaging. Among the most common forms of litter, they can take up to 15 years to decompose, while their filters release microplastics that never disappear. The city recommends carrying a portable ashtray—an inexpensive way to keep harmful litter off streets and out of waterways.

Residents are also encouraged to keep vehicles free of fast-food wrappers, cups, and bags that often end up along roadways. Proper disposal helps protect parks, streets, and the Trinity River, where litter harms aquatic life and water quality.

To make responsible disposal easy, Dallas provides convenient resources. The McCommas Bluff Landfill includes a Customer Convenience Recycling Center, and transfer stations across the city accept bulky items and recyclables. Residents can also safely drop off batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze (BOPA) at approved sites or the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center. In addition, plastic film can be recycled through partners such as Recycle Revolution and Scrap Management.

Every cigarette butt tossed in a bin, every chemical container disposed of properly, and every bag of plastic film recycled adds up to cleaner streets, healthier waterways, and a reener Dallas.

For more information, visit DallasCityHall.com.