Nashville, TN (WOKI) A resounding success, the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT’s) month-long initiative “No Trash November” sees nearly 70,000 pounds of litter removed from Tennessee roadways.

TDOT officials say over 2,400 volunteers participated in 175 cleanups, collecting more than 3,200 bags of litter, weighing almost 70,000 pounds.

Among the groups recognized this year by TDOT for the most pounds of trash collected was Keep Knoxville Beautiful, collecting nearly 12,000 pounds of litter, about 17% of the total picked up around the state.

Additional groups recognized throughout the state for removing the most litter in their communities were Donnie E Horton Post 254 (2,095 pounds collected), Conservation Kid in Hamilton County (315 pounds collected) and TN Delta Alliance (6,110 pounds collected).

“We are grateful to the more than 2,400 Tennesseans that came together in November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter,” said Michael McClanahan with the TDOT Beautification Office. “Community cleanups and individual actions taken last month showcase what we can achieve when we work together to preserve our state’s beauty. We encourage all residents to be a part of the solution to end littering. Even small, simple actions can help, from reducing single-use plastics to recognizing that food waste is litter, every effort counts.”

New to Nobody Trashes Tennessee and No Trash November is the Trash Masters Rewards program. Participants earn points for various activities like taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and spreading awareness. Points may be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including discounts at local businesses and exclusive Nobody Trashes Tennessee swag. “More than 1,600 people have signed up since we launched the program in October. It’s a fun and engaging way for individuals to contribute to a litter-free Tennessee while being recognized for their commitment to the environment,” said McClanahan.