NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Multiple educational institutions in Louisiana were recently named recipients of the University Affiliate grant program, which helps to prevent single-use plastics from washing down Louisiana watersheds into the Gulf of Mexico. The grants were made possible by Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant. But university students in Louisiana aren't the only ones who should be concerned about the amount of trash washing down to the Gulf of Mexico. That's why the EPA's Trash Free Waters program has mapped out the estimated density of single-use plastic bottles and other trash that reaches the Gulf of Mexico from states in watersheds connected to the Mississippi, Red, and other major rivers in the United States. The Escaped Trash Risk Map shows where the most litter is being released into watersheds in the Shreveport/Bossier area. (Source: EPA's Trash Free Waters program) If you want to see how much litter is escaping from your community and making its way down to the Gulf of Mexico via your watershed, check out this Escaped Trash Risk Map. Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said we need to change the culture and habits in this state so we can let our light shine for all to see the beauty we have to offer. Grants awarded to Louisiana universties to encourage single-use plastic reduction He also said it's fantastic that so many groups around Louisiana are pitching in and helping the effort to clean up our state. Learn more about litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives in Louisiana, visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org. To do the same in Texas, visit Keep Texas Beautiful. Are you an Arkansan? Check out the Keep Arkansas Beautiful. And if you're in Mississippi, learn more about litter abatement at Keep Mississippi Beautiful.