Initiative exceeded goal by more than 36,000 pounds
2,201 volunteers from 37 counties participated in 154 cleanups across the state
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dec. 12, 2023 – More than 86,000 pounds of litter was removed from communities throughout Tennessee as part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) 3rd Annual No Trash November, a month-long initiative to ensure the state’s roadways and waterways are safe from the harmful effects of litter.
Spearheaded by TDOT’s Nobody Trashes Tennessee campaign, the initiative encourages residents to join cleanups through Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB) affiliates, Adopt-A-Highway groups, or by hosting their own community cleanups in November. All told, 2,201 volunteers participated in 154 cleanups, collecting 4,303 bags of litter, weighing 86,064 pounds. Thirty-seven of Tennessee’s 95 counties were represented.
“The impact of No Trash November continues to grow each year,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “This initiative affirms why Tennessee is called the volunteer state and is an excellent example of successful collaborations between nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, and state, county and city governments.” More than an eyesore, litter on our public roads and waterways have detrimental impacts on safety, the environment and the economy. At any given time, there are 88 million pieces of litter on the state’s roadways. TDOT spends more than $23 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education, which is funded through dedicated revenue from Tennessee’s Soft Drink and Malt Beverage industries.
“We are grateful for our many partners across the state that came together in November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter,” said Brittany Morris, transportation program coordinator, TDOT. “This year’s No Trash November exceeded our goal by more than 36,000 pounds. We also increased the number of cleanups and volunteers, and expanded the program to include even more opportunities for student-athletes and youth groups, including Girl Scout Troops. We look forward to working with many of the same groups in the spring for the Great American Cleanup.”
Special recognition for the most pounds collected in four categories (Keep Tennessee Beautiful Affiliate, Adopt-A-Highway Group, Youth Group, and River Group) are: Memphis City Beautiful for collecting 11,936 pounds, HOA Litter Angels in Lenoir City for collecting 960 pounds, The Cleanup Kids in Hamilton County for collecting 340 pounds, and Keep Tennessee River Beautiful for removing 13,126 pounds from Cherokee Lake of the Holston River.
In its third year, No Trash November kicked off the month with student-athlete cleanups at Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University. A Nov. 29 cleanup with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, helped to wrap up the initiative. Participating Girl Scouts Troop cleanups earned them more than 750 Nobody Trashes Tennessee patches.
Learn more about the state’s litter reduction and education efforts at NobodyTrashesTennessee.com. Visit the event calendar to participate in cleanup and beautification events in your community. Additional ways to get involved include the no-cost Adopt-A-Highway Program and by reporting littering incidents through the Tennessee Litter Hotline (1-877-8LITTER). Join the conversation at facebook.com/nobodytrashesTN, instagram.com/nobodytrashestn, twitter.com/NobodyTrashesTN.
Memphis City Beautiful removed 11,936 pounds of litter from their community during No Trash November, earning them special recognition as the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Local Affiliate that collected the most litter. Photo ID L-R: From left to right – back row: Robert Dorris II , Robert Dorris, Sr., Brad Bell, Ethan Porter, Roberto Morales, and Mike McIverney, front row: Peter Liebl, Amber Jennings, Ms. M. Donald, Amelia Newby, Louise Newby, Astria Colbert, Vanessa Valenza, Raven Covington, Stephanie Wright, Aly Perry, and Victoria Gracia (other volunteers who participated: Corey Jackson, Dawnshundra Stanol, and Angela Austin)
HOA Litter Angels in Lenoir City, Tenn. removed 960 pounds of litter along their adopted route during No Trash November, earning them special recognition as the Adopt-A-Highway group that collected the most litter. The Litter Angels HOA of Tellico Village has 130 members that volunteer for cleanups on a regular basis.
The Cleanup Kids in Hamilton County removed 340 pounds of litter from their community during No Trash November, earning them special recognition as the Youth Group that collected the most litter. Photo ID L-R: Tommy Chamberlain, Nicholas Jones, Patrick Hockenberry, Cash Daniels, Keagan Crabtree, Evan Hockenberry, Ian Hockenberry, Caleb Hockenberry, Colt Daniels, Dan Channell, Matthew Channell, Shaun Daniels
Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful removed 13,126 pounds of litter from the Cherokee Lake of the Holston River during No Trash November, earning them special recognition as the River Group that removed the most litter from our waterways. Thirty-five volunteers helped to remove 478 bags of trash, 52 tires and many more items.
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About Nobody Trashes Tennessee
Nobody Trashes Tennessee (NTT) is the State of Tennessee’s official litter prevention campaign managed by Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Funded through dedicated revenue from Tennessee’s Soft Drink and Malt Beverage industries, TDOT spends $23 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education to address the more 88 million pieces of litter found at any given time on state’s roadways. Visit nobodytrashestennessee.com to learn more about the no-cost Adopt-A-Highway program and additional ways to get involved in helping to prevent and reduce litter through personal actions, community events, and reporting littering incidents through the Tennessee Litter Hotline (1-877-8LITTER). Join the conversation at facebook.com/nobodytrashesTN, instagram.com/nobodytrashestn, and twitter.com/NobodyTrashesTN.
