When winter weather arrives in Tennessee, most of us focus on staying warm, driving
safely, and perhaps enjoying a rare snowfall. But beneath the snow and ice, there’s
another story unfolding, and it helps explain why litter increases in winter.
Snow hides it. Ice freezes it in place.
When snow falls, it acts like a blanket, covering up roadside trash, fast-food packaging,
bottles, and other debris that were already there. Ice can lock that litter in place, making
it easy to forget and hard to remove. But out of sight doesn’t mean gone. Winter may
hide litter for a little while, but it’s waiting there for you when the weather changes.
The Snowmelt Moves Everything
One major reason why litter increases in winter is what happens after snow falls and
then temperatures rise. As snow and ice melt, that run-off has to go somewhere. That
run-off often carries litter with it. Streets funnel melting snow into storm drains, ditches,
creeks, and rivers, sending months’ worth of hidden trash straight into Tennessee’s
waterways. It threatens our wildlife, water quality, and our communities.
What You Can Do
It’s simpler than you think! Stopping litter doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions
make a big difference:
- Pick up litter when you see it, especially before storms or snow melt.
- Dispose of litter properly so trash doesn’t escape vehicles or cans.
- Recycle your trash when possible to keep materials out of landfills and
waterways. - Secure your truck loads and trailers during winter travel. Covering it with a tarp
makes a huge difference.
Bonus:
Join a local cleanup when the weather starts to warm up. Late winter and early spring
are among the most important times to remove litter before it washes into our rivers,
lakes, and streams. When you participate, be sure to join Trash Masters Rewards and
log your cleanup to earn points for your efforts and earn cool prizes for your hard work!
Be Ready When the Snow Melts
When the snow melts, the choices we made all winter become more visible. Litter that
was ignored, unsecured, or improperly tossed doesn’t stay put. It travels through our
neighborhoods, into our waterways, and into hard-to-clean places. Understanding why
litter increases in winter helps us take action before it becomes a bigger problem.
By taking a few extra steps, such as picking up your trash, securing your load, and
disposing of your waste properly, we can prevent the chain reaction before it starts.
Keeping Tennessee clean takes all of us, and acting now can prevent it from becoming a
bigger problem later.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/urbanization-and-stormwater-runoff
https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/learn-about-aquatic-trash
