San Antonio, TX – A new statewide initiative is calling on Texans to roll up their sleeves and help protect the Lone Star State’s waterways. The Trash Free Gulf campaign, launched by The Gulf Trust in partnership with H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future, aims to raise awareness and take action to ensure cleaner streams, rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans across the state.

The campaign kicks off in late April and runs through May, featuring 40 cleanup projects in both major cities and smaller communities across Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, McAllen, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Abilene, and more.

🌊 San Antonio Cleanup Details

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Cleanup Location: Espada Park
Meetup Address: 8500 Mission Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78223
Signup & Info: trashfreegulf.com/keep-san-antonio-beautiful

The San Antonio project is being led by Keep San Antonio Beautiful, a local nonprofit dedicated to environmental stewardship. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to register and participate.

🎁 Volunteer Perks & Prizes

The first 10 volunteers to sign up for each event will receive a YETI 10 oz tumbler and a $15 H-E-B gift card.
Special YETI prizes will be awarded at each cleanup:
- Trailhead Chair for the most unusual item found.
- Camino Carryall Tote for the largest item picked up.
- More surprise giveaways to come!

🌎 Why It Matters

Nearly every piece of litter in Texas has the potential to make its way to the Gulf of Mexico, since almost all of Texas’ 30 million residents live in watersheds that drain into the Gulf. A 2018 study revealed that trash accumulates along Texas’ coastlines ten times faster than in any other Gulf Coast state.

With the Gulf being largely enclosed by land and affected by strong currents, it has become one of the most plastic-polluted bodies of water in the world.

As part of the Trash Free Gulf effort, all cleanup partners will help collect data on the type and volume of trash found, helping to inform future solutions that address the root causes of litter.

🎬 “Chasing The Tide” Series

The campaign follows the release of Chasing The Tide, a six-part documentary series directed by Jay Kleberg, executive director of The Gulf Trust, and his wife, Chrissy Kleberg. The couple trekked 370 miles along Texas’ barrier islands over the course of 21 days, shedding light on the fragile beauty and ecological challenges facing the Texas coastline.

For full project locations, details, and volunteer registration, visit TrashFreeGulf.com.

Together, we can keep Texas waterways—and the Gulf—trash free.