CLEAN WATER TIPS

Have you seen illegal dumping?

Done improperly, vehicle maintenance and washing can release pollutants like hydrocarbons and heavy metals into local waterways. Residents wash and maintain vehicles, and so do businesses (at sites including service stations, fleet maintenance facilities, auto dealerships and car washes). This fact sheet offers municipalities information and tips on how to educate both businesses and residents on best practices for that work.

Vehicle Maintenance

Maintenance activities such as cleaning auto parts, changing vehicle fluids, and repairing and replacing equipment generate waste and can be hazardous. Maintenance materials that may spill, leak or become waste during the maintenance process include: Solvents (e.g., degreasers, paint thinners), Antifreeze, Brake fluid and brake pad dust, Battery acid, Motor oils, Fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, kerosene), and Lubricating grease.

Spills and improper disposal of these materials can cause oil and grease, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other toxic compounds to enter ground and surface water supplies. This creates public health and environmental risks. Proper use, spill cleanup, storage and disposal of vehicle fluids can help reduce the potential for vehicle maintenance practices to pollute stormwater discharge and local water bodies. It is important to encourage awareness of storm drain inlets near maintenance yards and teach residents and business owners and their staff that storm drains lead directly to local waterways, not to treatment facilities.

Facts About Used Oil

Used motor oil never wears out — it just gets dirty and can be recycled, cleaned and used again. Motor oil poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans (even in sealed containers) can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 200 million gallons of do-it-yourself used oil ends up in the trash, in water and poured on the ground each year. Recycling used motor oil reduces this pollution threat. When you recycle used oil, you are protecting the environment and conserving a valuable resource. Recycling used oil helps protect ground and

surface waters, fish and wildlife and conserves energy. If recycled, the oil could save about a half million barrels of crude oil each year, worth

nearly $10 million dollars. Used oil from ATVs, jet skis, boats, lawn mowers, weed eaters, and other motorized items threatens the environment just as much as oil

from automobiles. One pint of oil can produce a slick of approximately one acre of water. When oil enters a body of water, a film develops on the surface that blocks out sunlight that plants and other organisms need to live. Other automotive fluids, including antifreeze, solvents and gasoline are also harmful to the environment when not disposed of correctly. When used motor oil is mixed with other automotive fluids, it is considered contaminated and cannot be collected for recycling.​

What can YOU do?

There are things that every citizen can do at home and in their community to help prevent illegal dumping and oil pollution to our water: Recycle used motor oil at a local used oil collection center. Request re-refined motor oil when you get your oil changed. Re-refined motor oil must meet the same American Petroleum Institute (API) certification standards as virgin motor oil. Cars that leak oil and other automotive fluids are a big source of water pollution. Have your car checked for any leaking fluids that might run-off into storm drains. Recycle and re-use oil filters. Recycling one ton of drained oil filters produces 1,700 pounds of steel and recovers about 60 gallons of used oil. Community storm drain stenciling events are a good way to get the word out about what should and shouldn’t go down storm drains. Many programs focus on the dangers of mixing oil and water. If you change your own oil, get a reusable used oil container. Drain the oil carefully into the container, avoiding splatter and spills.

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The Tennessee Stormwater Association has created a brochure in order to help HOAs determine if they have a stormwater feature.

These are available for purchase, $10 for a pack of $50 plus shipping (if needed) 

Click here to order

 

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TENNESSEE LITTER LAWS

Section 39-14-503. (a) Mitigated criminal littering is littering in an amount less than or equal to five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume. 

• criminal littering is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)

Section 39-14-504. (a) Criminal littering is littering in an amount more than five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume and less than or equal to ten pounds (10 Ibs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume.

• littering is a Class B misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine

• In addition to the penalties established in this section, the court shall require a person convicted under this part to remove litter from the state or local highway system, public playgrounds, public parks or other appropriate public locations for not more than eighty (80) hours. The court, in its discretion, may also a person convicted under this section to work in a recycling center or other appropriate location for any stated period of time not to exceed eight (8) hours.

Section 39-14-505. (a) Aggravated criminal littering is littering:

• In an amount exceeding ten pounds (10 lbs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume; or

• In any amount for any commercial purpose

•  Aggravated criminal littering is a Class A misdemeanor, except in the following circumstances, in which case it is a Class E felony, up to a $1,500 fine.

 

Tennessee Toll-Free Litter Hotline
1-877-8-LITTER PROVIDES MOTORISTS A WAY TO REPORT LITTER BUGS

Tennesseans who are tired of trash along state roadways now have a new tool to report litter bugs. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today a new toll-free litter hotline, 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). The litter hotline is part of the statewide anti-litter campaign. The hotline provides a way for Tennesseans to report people they witness littering along the state’s roadways, such as a person throwing a paper cup or cigarette butt out of a window, or an item falling from an unsecured load.

“The new toll-free litter hotline gives citizens the ability to Stop It,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Now anyone who witnesses a person littering can report it and trigger action to improve the quality of the environment and the cleanliness of our roadways. Tennessee has some of the best roads in the nation. With everyone’s help, we can have some of the cleanest, too.”

Citizens who witness a litter bug in action can call 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). Callers will reach a recording that asks them to provide information about the vehicle. The information that will be requested includes:

• license plate number (Tennessee plates only)

• type and make of the vehicle

• day and time the incident occurred

• location where the incident occurred

• the type of item tossed or blown from the vehicle

TDOT will mail a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle along with a car trash bag or portable ashtray and other anti-litter information. The letter is a gentle reprimand reminding the recipient that littering is against the law and punishable by a fine of up to $1500.

 

Click here for more information.

https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/the-top-roadside-litter-laws-you-should-know-in-tennessee/