February 19, 2015 10:42 AM Eastern Standard Time

MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of the Great American Clean-up initiative, the Florida Department of Transportation’s “DRIVE IT HOME … KEEP OUR PARADISE LITTER-FREE®” campaign has launched a statewide Trash-Off Greek and Club Challenge competition. The Challenge is open to every sanctioned college sorority, fraternity or social service club organization in the state.

“DRIVE IT HOME … KEEP OUR PARADISE LITTER-FREE®”

Using the campaign theme, participants are encouraged to express how they will dispose of litter to their audience. Entries submitted must be original and authentic and show how each group will help keep Florida’s roadsides and communities litter-free.

Categories for the Challenge entries include:

1. Artistic Expression (i.e. PSA, commercial, artistic art piece, fashion piece, etc.)

2. Campus/Community Activity (i.e. photos of a trash wipe-out event on campus or community park’s grounds, rallying a clean-up day around a lake, etc.)

3. Poetry and Prose (i.e. sharing the written word)

4. Unique Art Piece (i.e. poster, drawing, photography, trash can decoration, art fashion exhibits, etc.)

5. Video Showcase (i.e. step show, dance, song, jingle, etc.)

6. Other category – Entries that do not fit in any of the specified categories can be submitted and included in this section. Please provide an overview of the entry submitted.

The top three submissions that receive the most “likes” via Facebook will be selected as the winners. Prizes will be awarded in the name of the sorority, fraternity and/or social service club. Winning entries will receive gift cards ranging from $100 to $1,000.* Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 10, 2015.

Winning entries will be announced on the Clean FL Roads website on Earth Day (April 22, 2015). Winning entries will be on display at the FDOT office in Tallahassee, throughout the state, and on the campaign’s social media sites.

To enter, participants must complete and submit the online entry form, available at www.CleanFLroads.com. The sooner contestants submit, the more social media likes they are likely to receive – so enter early!

The state’s official Roadside Litter Prevention Education (RLPE) Media Campaign aims to reduce the incidence of littering on Florida highways, promote pride in the beauty of Florida’s landscapes and educate Florida motorists about the dangers and hazards of roadside litter. Built around the theme, “DRIVE IT HOME . . . KEEP OUR PARADISE LITTER-FREE^®,” the campaign enlists professional and amateur athletes from a variety of sports, who appear in various media outlets including radio, television, outdoor and newsprint.

The campaign seeks to educate Floridians and visitors on litter issues and change their behavior by leveraging the influence of athletes portrayed in a high-visibility multi-media campaign with television, radio and outdoor advertising components, as well as community events. The primary audience focus for the campaign will include driving motorists between the ages of 15 – 35.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is an executive agency, which reports directly to the Governor. FDOT’s primary statutory responsibility is to coordinate the planning and development of a safe, viable and balanced state transportation system serving all regions of the state, and to assure the compatibility of all components, including multimodal facilities. The multimodal transportation system includes roadway, air, rail, sea, spaceports, bus transit, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. FDOT has the multi-year Roadside Litter Prevention Education (RLPE) Media Campaign in an effort to support the beauty of Florida and maintain a place that residents can be proud of every day, every year.

For details and more information on the Trash-Off Greek and Club Challenge, contact Bernadette Morris of Sonshine Communications at (305) 948-8063, ext. 201 or visit www.CleanFLroads.com.