Other Resources

Beyond our own programs, here are additional Mississippi resources worth knowing about — from medicine disposal and recycling directories to statewide litter-prevention education.

A clear plastic water bottle floating in a shallow, muddy stream with green plants and small rocks along the streambed.

Quick Links

The More You Know

Littering in Mississippi isn’t just an eyesore; it’s against the law. Learn what state litter laws say, what the penalties can be, and how you can help keep our communities clean and compliant.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Don’t Trash Mississippi

Teacher and community resources from MDOT’s litter education programs.

Don’t Trash Mississippi is the Mississippi Department of Transportation's (MDOT) litter education initiative — an ideal way to inform and educate students of all ages about litter prevention.

A cartoon turtle with a green head and body, wearing a brown wig and a pearl necklace, smiling and sticking its tongue out. It is emerging from a turtle shell decorated with red flowers. Text reads "Myrtle the Turtle" at the bottom.

Myrtle the Turtle

Myrtle visits K–5 classrooms and considers all of Mississippi her home. She encourages children to take responsibility for keeping their home — Mississippi — clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

An empty classroom with desks, chairs, school supplies, a chalkboard, educational posters, and a large window letting in natural light.

Educational Programs

MDOT offers age-appropriate programs to raise awareness about the dangers of litter, for both K–5 and 6–12 grades, along with the Enviroscape program — a hands-on demonstration about water pollution. Litter Prevention Coordinators in your local MDOT transportation district can be scheduled for school and community presentations. Contact your district office to arrange a visit.

Adopt-a-Highway

Roadside litter removal costs MDOT more than $3 million annually — and highways are still covered in litter. You can help by adopting a section of a state-maintained highway and committing to keep it clean.

How Do I Get Involved?

To apply, contact the MDOT District Litter Prevention Coordinator in your area. For more information, call your District Office or visit GoMDOT.com, select "Programs," then click "Don't Trash Mississippi."

What's Required of You:

  • ‍ Provide manpower to pick up litter on both sides of a one- to two-mile stretch of highway.

  • Agree to pick up litter at least four times per year.

  • Agree to abide by all MDOT program safety rules and guidelines.

‍

‍ ‍What MDOT Provides:

  • ‍ ‍Official safety vests, gloves, trash bags, and "Workers Ahead" traffic safety signs.

  • A free Adopt-A-Highway sign displaying your group's name.

  • Safety rules and guidelines.

  • Removal of litter bags after pickup, at pre-arranged locations.

A winding two-lane road in a dense green forest, with trees and foliage on both sides, and a foggy atmosphere.
A sign for an adopt-a-highway program in America with stylized red and blue mountains and a blue border.
Map of Tennessee divided into five districts, each with contact and engineer information, and labeled with district numbers and commissioner names.

District Numbers and Programs:

· State Litter Prevention Coordinator: Angela Stokes-Lewis, (601) 359-7111, astokes@mdot.ms.gov

· District 1: Leslie Pearman, (662) 842-1122, lpearman@mdot.ms.gov

· District 2: Courtney Collins Goode, (662) 563-4541, cgoode@mdot.ms.gov

· District 3: Stacey Dinkins, (662) 746-2513, sdinkins@mdot.ms.gov

· District 5: Connie McMullan, (601) 683-3341, cmcmullan@mdot.ms.gov

· District 6: Joy Lines, (601) 544-6511, jlines@mdot.ms.gov

· District 7: Daphne Scott, (601) 684-2111, dscott@mdot.ms.gov