Union County, a beautiful picture painted by rural Tennessee, but also one tainted by litter. What may start on a roadside is likely to end up in a children’s park, a waterfront area or affecting our wildlife populations.

Norris Lake, at a quick glance it it one of the cleanest lakes in the state due to its high water quality, but after a longer look in the coves you may find trash and debris left by previous visitors.

“It takes an entire community to make a difference…” a powerful statement posted by the Keep Union County Beautiful program.

Tammy Carter, the Keep Union County Beautiful director for seven years now, believes there is always more we can do to reach the end goal. That goal being no pollution in our community or surrounding areas such as lake coves.

“We are dedicated to keeping our County Litter Free and Beautiful, and that starts with each and every person living, working or playing in our County,” said Carter. “Let’s all do our part and keep it looking perfect!”

A program started in 2002 through the Tennessee Department of Transportation grant funding has continued to strive toward a better tomorrow through quarterly meetings, yearly litter pick-ups and a variety of educational programming.

Carter credits media platforms such as Facebook as being a way to reach the community about the impacts of littering.

“Generally speaking, I think it has helped people be more mindful of what they throw out of their window,” said Carter. “I do not think people were aware of how big of a problem it was until we started posting about it.”

Brett Pursel, one of the only community litter officers in the surrounding area, is sent out daily to pick up litter around the community.

Along with daily litter pick-ups, the Keep Union County Beautiful program has a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority to clean Palmers Junction in Sharps Chapel during the summer months in order to maintain a clean waterfront recreational area.

During the summer months, Pursel takes a group of inmates to Palmers Junction, at times up to three times a week, to clean up litter left behind by visitors and campers. Carter stated that once Palmers Junction open this summer, Pursel left with approximately 60 bags of trash that was left at the recreational area.

“It is unbelievable,” said Carter. “The first time our litter officer visited Palmers Junction this summer he picked up over 60 bags of trash.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter and Pursel were able to visit schools to do educational programs with students in 3rd-5th grade. They have high hopes to return to the classroom in the coming years.

For those in the community that might need community service hours for scholarships or college applications, Carter says that there are always opportunities to get out and do a few hours of community service.

The program provides all of the needed materials volunteers need to complete a few hours of trash pickup.

Carter pointed out that one of the biggest hot spots for litter in the heart of the community is the Union County High School parking lot.

Along with individuals volunteering to Keep Union County Beautiful, organizations can Adopt-A-Road to keep clean. In order to participate in this program, organizations can adopt at least a one-mile section of road for a two-year period. Once your road is adopted, that area has to be cleaned at least four times a year.

Community members can find more information about adopting a highway, Tennessee criminal littering laws, Keep America Beautiful and Keep Tennessee Beautiful at https://www.unioncountytn.gov/keep-union-county-beautiful/.

Along with volunteering or adopting a road, Carter is always looking for new board members for the Keep Union County Beautiful Board of Directors. Currently, there are 9 board members with the possibility of 15 board seats.

Carter and the board ask that community members do their part in this task to Keep Union County Beautiful. Be mindful of your actions and take a few extra moments to properly dispose of your trash.