Posted on Apr 21, 2026 | News,Press Releases
5th Annual Love the Boot Week Kicks Off with Over 1,200 Events Planned Around the State in All 64 Parishes
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful, joined by 150 leaders against litter, officially kicked off the 5th Annual Love The Boot Week this morning at Capitol Park Museum. The kickoff was followed by a cleanup at the former Louisiana Municipal Building and along I-110 in Baton Rouge.
Love the Boot Week, which runs from April 18-26, is the state’s largest litter removal and beautification effort, with more than 28,000 volunteers participating in over 1,200 events across all 64 parishes. This year’s effort also celebrates America’s 250th birthday, encouraging Louisianans of all ages to show their patriotism by caring for their communities and picking up 250 pieces of litter.
“Love the Boot Week is proof that when Louisianans come together with pride and purpose, we can make a real and lasting difference,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Over the past five years, we’ve built incredible momentum in the fight against litter, and this week is about keeping that momentum going. Cleaning up our state isn’t just a one-time effort – it’s a commitment to protecting our communities, our economy, and the natural beauty that makes Louisiana so special.”
“As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, there’s no better way to honor our country than by taking care of the place we call home,” Nungesser added. “Every piece of litter picked up is a step toward a cleaner, more beautiful Louisiana for future generations.”
“From the state’s top leaders to a small Girl Scout troop, Love the Boot Week gives people the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and do something to help improve where they live,” said Susan Russell, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director. “It’s also more than just picking up litter. While removal is important, it’s even more crucial to prevent litter in the first place. Love the Boot spurs important dialogue around the issue, educates people, and shifts mindsets.”
The kickoff event brought together state leaders, agency partners, local officials, sponsors, and community organizers. Speakers included Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser; Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director; Gretchen Vanicor, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Foundation board member; Michael Tipton, Head of Community Relations for Louisiana Blue; State Representative John Illg; Courtney Hornsby, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Foundation board member; Glen Ledet, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; Col. Robert Hodges, Superintendent of Louisiana State Police; Courtney Burdette, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality; and Chris Alack, Vice President of Coca-Cola’s Louisiana Division.
Special guests included cleanup organizers, sponsors, Miss Louisiana, the LSU Spirit Squad, and Mike the Tiger. Music was provided by the Cigar Box Serenaders. Attendees also visited exhibitor tables featuring organizations and partners from across the state supporting litter prevention, recycling, and beautification efforts.
In advance of the week, KLB distributed 800 cleanup supply boxes to participating groups, equipping volunteers with shirts, gloves, and trash bags. Event organizers are collecting data—including the number of volunteers, bags of litter collected, and beautification efforts—to compile a comprehensive statewide impact report.
It’s not too late to participate in Love the Boot Week. Louisianans can get involved by:
1. Register a litter cleanup or beautification event
2. Volunteer for an event in their community
3. Pick up 250 pieces of litter in celebration of America’s birthday
4. Share on social media how much you #LovetheBoot
5. Donate to the KLB Foundation to support Love the Boot Week
Last year during Love the Boot Week, 26,935 individuals volunteered a total of 81,852 hours at 1,408 events in all 64 parishes, leading to the removal of 514 tons of litter. Diverted from the landfill and recycled were 16,503 aluminum cans and plastic bottles. In addition to litter removal, volunteers focused on community beautification, planting 1,204 trees and 3,672 plants, and refurbishing 477 gardens.
Love the Boot Week is made possible with support from Louisiana Blue, Coca-Cola, Cox Communications, New Orleans & Co, The J.M. Smuckers Co, Folgers, Hunt Guillot & Assoc., Energy Transfer, ExxonMobil, JB James Construction, J. Edgar Monroe Foundation, Morris Dewitt, Republic Services, St. Bernard Parish, Visit Jefferson, Keep America Beautiful, RoyOMartin, Acadia Parish, Expand Energy, EMR, Hotel Monteleone New Orleans, SEMS Inc., Stuller Family Foundation, Tangipahoa Parish, Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, Visit the Northshore, Chevron, Cajun Coast Tourism, Ascension Parish Tourism, Avoyelles Parish Tourism, Baker Donelson, Black Bayou Energy Hub, Fourrier & de Abreu Engineers, LLC, Hoogland’s Landscape, International Paper, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Northshore Compliance Services, Sabine Parish Tourism, Sharp Industries, St. Martin Parish Tourism, Texas Brine, Unum, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, AdSource Outdoor, Lamar, iHeart Media, Avoyelles Today, and Crawfish App.
