It flows downhill.

If it’s on the ground in the Kansas City Metropolitan region it could end up in the Missouri River and then in the Gulf of Mexico.

Litter takes on many forms – paper, aluminum, cigarette butts – everything that is improperly placed on the ground. Much of this waste finds its way into our water systems, and into the Missouri River. The Missouri River meets up with the Mississippi River which then flows all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Most ocean pollution – 80% – begins on land. What we improperly dispose of in the KC Metro Area may find its way into the ocean.

Go straight to the source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration