With spring around the corner, the Tennessee Department of Transportation's (TDOT) campaign, Nobody Trashes Tennessee (NTT), is rallying Tennesseans to step up their efforts in keeping the state's landscapes litter-free. In a move to engage local communities in environmental stewardship, the NTT campaign is part of the nationwide Great American Cleanup initiative, which is celebrating March's Keep Tennessee Beautiful Month. According to a recent announcement, TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said, "Litter detracts from Tennessee’s natural beauty and has harmful impacts on safety, the environment, and the economy."
The campaign is reaching out to citizens to take part in cleaning their neighborhoods, with TDOT's litter prevention partners and Keep Tennessee Beautiful affiliates facilitating statewide events. The support doesn't end at a mere call-to-action, for they provide safety tips and supplies to those willing to coordinate their cleanup activities. Encouraging participation further, TDOT rewards individuals through the Nobody Trashes Tennessee Trash Masters Rewards program, offering incentives for a variety of activities which include but are not limited to taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and helping to spread the word about the importance of a clean environment.
Civic engagement continues with the youth, where groups like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are being enlisted as agents of change. By participating in spring cleanup service projects, these young scouts not only contribute to their communities but also earn recognition in the form of exclusive patches, such as the Trashsquatch patch for returning volunteers, signifying their dedication to the cause. Furthermore, the campaign offers educational resources to augment these projects, available online for convenience. TDOT extends the invitation to all citizens to bear personal responsibility and take small, everyday steps to prevent litter from harming Tennessee's wildlife and landscapes.
