2008 Woodie Awards
Litter grants increase to improve highways
Michael Stone
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
On Nov. 21, Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely announced $3.8 million in litter grants would be divided and given to Tennessee's 95 counties.
These grants have been given annually since Tennessee's Litter Grant Bill was passed in 1981.
Approximately $3 million is awarded annually, making this year's grants higher than usual.
"The distribution to each county is based on population and road miles so the amount varies from county to county. The minimum grant was $29,237 and the maximum grant was $242,052, which went to Shelby county," said TDOT Public Information Officer Julie Oaks.
The Litter Grant Bill gets its funding from taxes on malt beverage and soft drink companies.
"This was a self-imposed tax so that these industries could do their part to reduce litter along our roadways," said Oaks.
People who pick up the roadside litter are both paid workers and volunteers.
The majority of roadside litter pickup comes from paid contract workers, like roadside mowers, outside of TDOT.
According to TDOT's maintenance litter pickup figures, $5,031,170 was paid to contract workers, while $1,309,187 was paid to TDOT employees.
Volunteer work mainly comes from volunteers participating in various Tennessee programs including Adopt-A-Highway, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and Great American Cleanup.
Each county is required to use between 15 percent and 30 percent of all grant money towards educational programs.
The specific segments that are targeted for these programs include students, adults, media, government, and business.
Each county uses their education money as they see best fit. Contests, events, adopt-a-street programs, and public service announcements are just some of the many examples of education programs.
"The trash problem is definitely getting better. Keep Tennessee Beautiful measures the reduction in roadside litter each in year in affiliate counties and cities as part of their affiliation with Keep America Beautiful.
These grants have been given annually since Tennessee's Litter Grant Bill was passed in 1981.
Approximately $3 million is awarded annually, making this year's grants higher than usual.
"The distribution to each county is based on population and road miles so the amount varies from county to county. The minimum grant was $29,237 and the maximum grant was $242,052, which went to Shelby county," said TDOT Public Information Officer Julie Oaks.
The Litter Grant Bill gets its funding from taxes on malt beverage and soft drink companies.
"This was a self-imposed tax so that these industries could do their part to reduce litter along our roadways," said Oaks.
People who pick up the roadside litter are both paid workers and volunteers.
The majority of roadside litter pickup comes from paid contract workers, like roadside mowers, outside of TDOT.
According to TDOT's maintenance litter pickup figures, $5,031,170 was paid to contract workers, while $1,309,187 was paid to TDOT employees.
Volunteer work mainly comes from volunteers participating in various Tennessee programs including Adopt-A-Highway, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and Great American Cleanup.
Each county is required to use between 15 percent and 30 percent of all grant money towards educational programs.
The specific segments that are targeted for these programs include students, adults, media, government, and business.
Each county uses their education money as they see best fit. Contests, events, adopt-a-street programs, and public service announcements are just some of the many examples of education programs.
"The trash problem is definitely getting better. Keep Tennessee Beautiful measures the reduction in roadside litter each in year in affiliate counties and cities as part of their affiliation with Keep America Beautiful.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Walt Thompson
posted 12/04/07 @ 8:04 AM CST
Like you we are working to remove litter and beautify the area.
We get funding thru sponsorships of 32" litter grabbers and Beautiful Trash Cans.
Keep up the good work. (Continued…)
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