Neighborhood Cleanliness Project
The Neighborhood Cleanliness Project has ended. The results were used to help us implement new outreach campaigns about litter and to launch the Large Item Pickup by Appointment system for the entire Urban Services District!
Pilot Area Results: Shelby Park & Smoketown
Cleanliness plays a vital role in the quality of life in our neighborhoods. We found that raising awareness, improving the current trash collection system, and emphasizing community pride would have the biggest impact on improving neighborhood cleanliness.
This project was piloted in the Shelby Park & Smoketown neighborhoods. This area was chosen because of its strong neighborhood associations and large number of alleys and bus stops, which are major contributors to litter. Click the map for a detailed view of the area.
Litter Assessments
Litter Assessments were done to establish a baseline and throughout the program to measure success. Neighbors, staff, and partnering organizations helped with the assessments. During each assessment, we:
- Walked each street and gave it a score based on the guideline.
- Noted where litter came from, how it likely got there, and any locations causing litter.
- Mapped the average scores. Click the maps below to see larger views.
Litter Assessment Scores
| Date | Average Score |
| March 2017 | 2.6 |
| August 2018 | 2.28 |
| March 2019 | 2.25 |
| August 2019 | 2.01 |
| August 2018 | August 2019 |
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Collection System Improvements
- 16 decorative litter receptacles were added to the area.
- 77 households with consistently overflowing garbage received an additional garbage cart.
- 4 recycling carts were given to area households that requested.
- New Appointment-Based Large Item Collection system for the pilot area only. (See Director's Order that approves these changes.)
- Over 690 collections of large items have been made since the pilot began.
- After a slow start, up to 80% of residents used the system correctly.
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28% of households utilizing the system used it more than once, with 10% using it 3 or more times.
Community Standards
- Garbage carts left in alleys all the time contribute to the litter issue and violates local ordinance. The program provided extra education about the ordinance and enforcement for bringing waste containers away from alley after collection.
- Metro311 reports of solid waste issues in the area, including illegal dumping, were reduced by 50%.
- 10 surveillance cameras were added to the area to help catch illegal dumping.
- Four vehicles were impounded for illegal dumping.
Education & Outreach
- 95 people pledged online to not litter, pick up litter around their home, and place a sign in their yard to help bring awareness to the program.
- Staff attended neighborhood meetings and events to promote the program.
How can I help?
Check out these helpful tips to reduce litter! Follow the suggestions and share ideas with your friends!
- Homeowners
- Tenants
- Landlords
- Store Owners PLUS use the Litter Observation & Tally Sheet to figure out where the litter comes from, which will help determine ways to prevent it!
Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup
Learn which local laws help prevent litter
More resources:
Keep America Beautiful strives to end litter, improve recycling, and beautify communities.
Litterati - Join the community identifying, mapping, and collecting the world's litter.
Large Item Pick Up - 4 easy steps!
This program is now available for all households within the Urban Services District. Schedule a Large Item Pickup appointment.
