RIVER CLEANUP DOWNLOAD

RIVER CLEANUP TIPS
A guide to better, safer cleanups of the watershed we love.

River cleanups organized by participants in our Adopt a River Mile program presented by Publix are essential to Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTnRB)’s mission as we are committed to educating and inspiring others to take action to create a clean, healthy, beautiful Tennessee River for generations to come. 

Whether by land, paddlecraft, or motorboat, your efforts as an Adopt a River Mile participant not only help to improve the river, but reporting your cleanups inform us of litter trends in different spaces throughout the watershed. Thank you for your work to keep our communities clean for generations to come!

In our Adopt a River Mile program, participants commit to cleaning their adopted river mile(s) twice a year and reporting their cleanup totals to Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful. This way, we can measure the program’s impact, celebrate our participants, and track litter trends. These cleanup tips should help in holding your cleanups! 

1. SCOUTING

Spontaneous, “clean as you go” cleanups always make an impact. However, if you’re planning a more organized event, here are some tips to do before your cleanup:

  1. Check property access: Know land ownership; get permission if needed.

  2. Scout for litter: Note litter types, how much, and any special disposal needs.

  3. Access & safety: Assess how to reach areas and identify any potential hazards.

2. PLANNING

Key things to plan ahead:

  • Access: Confirm permission from landowners or parks if the area to be cleaned is beyond a TVA right of way.

  • Launch points: Choose safe and permitted launch sites for motorboats or paddlecrafts.

  • Establish permission: If your cleanup is large enough for the need of a dumpster, you’ll want to obtain permission and specific communication about where the property owner will allow for the dumpster to be placed.

  • Supplies: Bring gloves, contractor trash bags, and tools (shovel/clippers if needed).

  • Partners: Team up with marinas or community organizations for extra help or permissions.

  • Safety: Prepare first aid, water, snacks, and go over safety instructions with volunteers (if applicable).

  • Who: Consider recruiting others to help you in your twice annual Adopt a River Mile cleanups by asking family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers to help. You can schedule your cleanups as community events, family get-togethers, or around holidays. 

3. CLEANUP IMPLEMENTATION

Tips during cleanup:

  • Bag weight: Fill trash bag to ~20 lbs to prevent bag tears or injuries. This will also maintain consistency in reporting totals.

  • Hypodermic needles:  Even if you see a syringe that appears to have no needle, the needle may be bent backwards. Even if the hypodermic needle is capped, still take the proper precautions as the cap can fall off in a trash bag. Note GPS location and report to local law enforcement. If you choose to remove a hypodermic needle found during a cleanup in your personal time, it would be advisable to:

  1. wear coated gloves at all times

  2. carefully inspect the syringe for a present needle or bent needle

  3. assume a needle is present even if it is not visible

  4. find a plastic or glass bottle with a cap

  5. carefully pick up the syringe at the back or middle and drop it into the uncapped bottle

  6. screw the cap back onto the bottle once the hypodermic needle is contained

  7. dispose of the sealed bottle in a trash bag.

  • Containers with liquid: While it may be tempting to dump out liquids found in bottles or jugs, it’s safest to leave the liquids in the container if there is a lid. The container may be holding chemicals or biohazards that are unsafe for exposure.

  • Wood with nails: There is no need to remove wood or construction wood. At the same time, there are often nails or screws sticking out of wood debris. If this is the case, turn the sharp side down to prevent injuries.

  • Heavy/bulk items: Use teamwork, communicate, and don’t force it for heavy items. Remember: “Slow is pro.” Bulk and heavier items don’t have to be put into bags, but don’t forget to count them/estimate their weight for your reporting!

  • Hazardous materials: Be aware of hazardous materials that could be leaking and can damage skin. Leave fuel canisters on the shoreline, take a photo, record the GPS coordinates, and share that information with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful to report or report the information directly to TDEC for removal.

4. DISPOSAL

After cleanup:

  • Count and report: Record your collected items and submit via Cleanup Report at www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/CleanupReport.

  • Disposal responsibilities: Know what items require special handling (e.g., tires, appliances, batteries) and can not be placed in a dumpster.

  • No unauthorized dumping: Use permitted dumpsters only with permission or arrange for one in advance.

  • Recycle metal when possible and other recyclables when possible. 

  • Free tire disposal: If you live in a large municipality such as Knox County, you may get free tire disposal. At KTnRB, we typically recommend recycling tires, but there is often an associated fee that may not be feasible for all. 

5. Safety Guidelines

  • Lifejackets: 

    • The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requires that recreational vessels carry a properly sized, USCG-approved life jacket (also known as a Personal Flotation Device or PFD) for every person on board. Life vests are also required to be worn by children under 13 on open boats. If cleaning up on the shore and out of boats, lifejackets do not need to be worn. 

  • Gloves: Wear at all times.

  • Closed-toe shoes: Rubber boots, hiking boots, or old sneakers work best.

  • Long pants & sleeves: Protect from cuts, scrapes, poison ivy, and bites.

  • Stay hydrated: Bring water and snacks.

  • Bug spray & sunscreen: Recommended.

  • Expectations: When giving a safety speech and instructions if working with a group, recommended tips include:

  1. Follow lifejacket rules and regulations

  2. Keep it to 20 lbs. trash bags

  3. What to do with hypodermic needles

  4. Flip wood with nails over and pat into the ground

  5. Don’t place broken glass into trash bags as it may cut volunteers and/or tear bags

  6. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen/bug spray

  7. Wear gloves when picking up any trash, even if it looks safe to touch

  8. Any applicable boat safety tips if using watercrafts (i.e. pinch points, waiting until boat is stopped, staying seated, etc.)