NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 77,000 pounds of litter were removed from communities throughout Tennessee as part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) 5th Annual No Trash November, a month-long initiative dedicated to keeping the state’s roadways and waterways safe from the harmful effects of litter. This year’s effort surpassed the statewide goal of 75,000 pounds—demonstrating the collective impact of communities, volunteers, and partners working together across Tennessee.
The Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful group won in the Water Group category with 1,775 pounds collected.
In recognition of the five-year milestone and TDOT’s ongoing efforts to prevent litter and promote education through the Nobody Trashes Tennessee campaign, Governor Bill Lee proclaimed November as No Trash November Month in the State of Tennessee. Throughout the month, 2,470 volunteers participated in 205 cleanup events, collecting 3,596 bags of litter weighing a total of 77,129 pounds.
The initiative brought together TDOT’s litter prevention partners and organizations, including Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB) affiliates, Litter Grant recipients, Adopt-A-Highway groups, youth organizations such as Girl Scouts and Scouting America, and many others.
As part of the 5th Annual No Trash November, TDOT recognizes top-performing groups that collected the most litter in four categories: Keep Tennessee Beautiful Affiliate, Adopt-A-Highway Group, Youth Group, and Water Group. This year’s winners include:
· Affiliate Group – Keep Knoxville Beautiful – 13,971 pounds
· Adopt-A-Highway – HOA Litter Angels – 900 pounds
· Youth Group – Pack 502 No Trash November – 1,160 pounds
· Water Group – Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful – 1,775 pounds