An average mile of highway contains about 16,000 pieces of litter. Knox County has about 2,000 miles of roadway. Only 20 percent of litter comes from careless motorists and pedestrians. Most comes from uncovered truckloads, unsecured business dumpsters, construction sites, loading docks, and from bags or uncovered waste receptacles at the curb.
If you see someone dumping or littering, get complete descriptions including vehicle make, model and color, tag number, location and time of day. Click here to download the online form, fill it out, and e-mail it to litter@knoxcounty.org
Knox County has a full-time litter officer and a litter crew and that investigates illegal dumping and works with the State Office of Probation to pick up litter on County Roads. Knox County also oversees a Drunk Driver litter program that collects litter on State Highways and state-aid roads, roads that connect state highways.
Tennessee Department of Transportation Litter Hotline
State sends a friendly letter to the registered owner of the Tennessee vehicle informing them of the negative consequences of their littering actions and providing them with educational materials. State Beautification Online Form
Adopt-A-Road
If you are a member of a business, civic club, church or any other organization (including family), you can "Adopt-A-Road.” Adopt-A-Road organizations agree to pick up litter at least twice a year along a section of road in Knox County. The County provides bags, safety vests, gloves, litter pickers and warning signs. After you arrange a cleanup Knox County Solid Waste will pick up the bags along the roadside. Adopt-A-Road organizations receive signs marking their adopted road work area. Click here to download the online form, fill it out, and e-mail it to litter@knoxcounty.org
Knox County Litter Ordinance
Knox County Ordinance 96-4-101 makes it unlawful to throw trash onto the ground, allow trash to blow out of a moving vehicle or leave trash in places not designated for regular trash pickup. It is everyone's responsibility to maintain control of their trash so that it does not become litter. The penalty for littering or illegal dumping is up to $1,000 plus court costs.
