New Mexico has introduced Yucky the Yucca on Friday, a rather unappealing mascot that aims to get the residents to stop littering and to help to keep the state’s desert areas clean.
The campaign’s official website states that Yucky was inspired by the yucca, which is New Mexico’s state plant. The character’s story starts with a plant who is proud of her name until wind-blown plastic bags, wrappers and bottles get caught in her spiky leaves, and end up dirty, miserable and grumpy.
Yucky is characterized as tough, resilient, and outspoken. The mascot’s arrival is part of the state’s Breaking Bad Habits and #KeepLitterOut initiatives, making litter prevention more appealing, particularly among children and families.
In January 2026, the office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the Breaking Bad Habits campaign gathered more than 19,000 volunteers, who took part in 250 cleanup events arranged by 190 local organizations. The events had removed over 10.5 million pounds of litter in 2025.
The administration launched the anti-littering initiative in October 2024. It involved public awareness activities and partnerships with communities to prevent littering and illegal dumping of wastes.
The campaign’s previous advertisements featured actor Bryan Cranston playing his Breaking Bad character, Walter White. Now, the state brought in Yucky, with a particular focus on making environmental responsibility accessible to younger audiences.
Residents can participate by joining community cleanup events, organizing their own activities, or by simply sharing the campaign’s message.
