CLEAN WATER TIPS

Scary Litter Pollutes Storm Drains

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Halloween parties and trick-or-treating can generate a lot of litter, especially around neighborhoods and public spaces. Make sure to clean up after events and encourage friends and family to do the same. Americans spend around $2.36B on plastic single-use decorations each year that when thrown away, can be damaging to our waterways. By preventing litter from entering storm drains, you’re helping keep trash out of your local watershed. 

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Quick Tips for a fun, eco-friendly Halloween celebration:

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• Treats: Look for goodies with minimal packaging or those packaged in recycled or recyclable materials. Better yet, bake your own Halloween treats and use biodegradable or reusable wrapping. You can also use a reusable bag or old pillowcase instead of a plastic bucket to collect trick or treat goodies.

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• Trash disposal: Many components of Halloween costumes and decorations are made of plastic. Also, holiday festivities may include entertaining using single-use bottles and disposable foodware. Be sure to place trash and recyclables in their appropriate bins and secure the lids to make sure items don’t fall out or get blown by the wind. This helps prevent these pollutants making their way into our stormdrain system, eventually reaching our inland waterways and ocean. To cut down on party waste, use regular dishes or buy biodegradable ones and use a marker to identify cups so party-goers can keep track.

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• Decorations: Halloween decorations are the most wasteful part of Halloween as they tend to contain excessive amounts of single-use plastics which, when thrown away, can be damaging to the environment. Reuse decorations from previous years, buy second-hand, or get creative and make your own. If you do end up buying them from retailers, check to see if the decorations are recyclable or of good enough quality to use again next year.

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Click the links below for more information tips on how to reduce waste during your Halloween celebration!

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CLICK HERE 

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CLICK HERE

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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-tennesse