Rutherford County leaders highlight TDOT litter grant efforts and volunteer crew work

At the July 16 commission meeting, Rutherford County’s public information officer Lisa Kaye and solid waste staff presented the county’s work under the Tennessee Department of Transportation litter grant program, which is funded through beverage industry proceeds and distributed to all 95 counties.

Kaye introduced solid waste administrative assistant Bobbie Langford and Correctional Work Center lieutenant Jason Peralta, who oversee crews that perform roadside litter removal, removal of dumped furniture and debris, and other community service projects. Kaye showed before‑and‑after photos of cleanup sites around Rutherford County and described outreach activities at farmers markets and in school classrooms designed to teach recycling and litter prevention.

Lieutenant Peralta thanked commissioners and named individual crew members by way of appreciation for the crews’ work, and encouraged commissioners and residents to contact the Correctional Work Center when they observe illegal dumping or need litter pickup in their districts. Langford answered common public questions about electronics, hazardous waste, and transfer station locations and said staff respond to dumped couches and other debris quickly in coordination with the work crews.

Kaye said the county provided commissioners with recycled car litter bags, T‑shirts and tumblers and encouraged the public to pick up materials at the agenda podium after the meeting. The presentation closed with staff inviting commissioners to coordinate community cleanups and station visits.

Takeaway: The presentation emphasized community outreach, interdepartmental cooperation and the role of correctional work crews in keeping county roadsides clear of debris and litter.