May 25, 2006
| For Immediate Release: May 25, 2006 |
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STOP LITTER! STOP IT! Nashville, Tenn.--Littering harms the environment, poses a risk to wildlife, creates an eyesore for tourists, and may discourage new businesses and industry from relocating or moving to the state. Still, people continue to deliberately litter without regard to the serious negative impacts of their actions. This year, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) estimates it will spend $6 million for litter removal by its maintenance forces and paid contractors. An additional $5 million in annual funds, collected through a tax on the soft drink and malt beverage industry, is used across the state to assist local communities with litter collection and litter prevention education. In addition, 3,850 volunteers donate their time to picking up litter from approximately 770 miles of state-owned roadsides through TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Still, these efforts are not enough to eliminate litter and convince people to stop trashing Tennessee. That’s why today, the state is launching a new, comprehensive anti-litter campaign that involves billboards, and television advertising. The new StopLitter campaign was kicked off by Tennessee’s First Lady, Andrea Conte, and by Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely, along with other special guests, during an event at Nashville’s Bicentennial Mall. “This new initiative reflects Tennesseans’ frustration with litter in our communities,” stated TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “We believe that by targeting a specific demographic audience with this comprehensive effort, we can make a difference in the volume of litter that impacts the beauty of our state and harms the environment.” Developed in partnership by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, the Outdoor Advertising Association, and the Soft Drink and Malt Beverage Industries, the campaign targets the 16 – 34 year-old demographic in Tennessee. National studies have shown that this age group contributes the most to litter found in our communities. “I support this effort whole-heartedly. We need all Tennesseans to take part and to urge others to StopLitter. Stop it! It is that simple,” stated House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. The new anti-litter campaign is the first new, comprehensive initiative since the 1970’s Tennessee Trash campaign. The advertisements will feature real, everyday citizens voicing their concerns about litter; what they think about it, and what they think about the people who are doing it. In the ads, Tennesseans are commenting, “People who litter are ignorant. It’s dumb. They show no respect. It costs us a lot of money to clean up their litter. When are they going to learn?” The end result is a passionate, hard hitting message that relays a clear message: Enough is enough! StopLitter! “No matter how many times I fly over our great state I’m amazed by its beauty every time. There is simply no excuse for polluting it with trash,” reported Lieutenant Governor John Wilder. “This campaign presents a clear message that I hope many Tennesseans will not only hear, but act on,” said Representative Phillip Pinion, House Transportation Chairman. “It doesn’t take much effort to walk to a trash can. Remember, now when you litter someone will be watching and can report you on the state’s new toll-free litter reporting line.” The StopLitter campaign aims to reach the younger demographic audience through a statewide cable media and radio campaign that will focus on channels such as MTV, Spike, USA, BET and Comedy Central, with spots strategically planned to reach 50 percent of the 16 – 34 year-old demographic in Tennessee’s major metropolitan markets. In addition, billboards are scheduled to go up statewide with supported public service announcements aired by radio partners across the state. Keep Tennessee Beautiful affiliates and local programs will contribute grassroots support by bringing the campaign home to all 95 counties. “During 2005, more than 367,000 Tennesseans volunteered to help keep Tennessee beautiful. This ground swell of grass-roots service and energy will serve us well during the StopLitter campaign, as these same people will help influence the entire population to become involved,” said Edith Heller, Keep Tennessee Beautiful State Leader. “Our main goal is to change people’s attitudes and behavior about litter.” Every Tennessean is urged to join in the effort to StopLitter. Hasn’t Tennessee had enough? To report someone who is littering, call 866-739-2812. For more
information about TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program, please go to
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/environment/beautification/adopt-a-highway.htm
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