History

Established in 1983 at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) as Clean Tennessee Program (now Keep Tennessee Beautiful).

1980's message was Litter Prevention rather than Litter Pick-Up".

1986 Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) funded KTB production of "Frog Pond" video and K-6 Litter Prevention Curriculum for distribution to all public and private schools.

1988 TN became official KAB state affiliate.

Started 10 KAB System affiliates.

Served on Roundtable as education advocate for TN Solid Waste Management Act of 1991.

1990's message was "Integrated Solid Waste Management".

1992 EPA Curriculum "Garbage Gremlin" distributed to all public and private middle and high schools.

1994 spurred TDOT for statewide Adopt-A-Highway.

1995-96 produced Litter Grant manual, software and training for TDOT.

1996 TN Bicentennial Quilt featuring KTnB, 25 affiliates, and KAB on statewide display.

1996 documented record $1.8 million free radio PSA time.

Trained Highway Patrol/Litter Control Units.

1997 Assisted Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) with "Pathways: SW Education Action Plan" manual for Solid Waste Region implementation.

Helped form five Environmental Courts.

Won 16 national awards over the years.

1998 message was "Public and private partnerships".

Implemented Covered Loads=Clean TN Roads campaign, source reduction mascots Les and Lotta Stuff, and "Back by Popular Neglect" TV PSA.

Name changed to Keep Tennessee Beautiful.

1999 TDEC contract produced "Buy Recycled" video for county distribution and Waste Not-Want Not brochure for each Tennessee household

2000 TN Looks Good To Me millenium initiative service provider and first statewide Tennessee Great American Cleanup.

2000 Happy Birdsong, Nashville, received KAB Mrs. L.B. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Total of 25 KAB System affiliates in state (two communities decertified).

Six percent of Tennessee population volunteered for KTnB in 2001.

2004 Great American Cleanup™ in TN grows to 171,000 volunteers during spring events.

2005 KTnB Radio Public Service Announcement spots surpass $5m in free air time.

Sixth Environmental Court opened in Bradley County.

TDOT/KTnB Awards of Excellence competition has 34 categories and $40,000 in local grants.

2006 55% of TNKAB affiliate coordinators earn Certificate in Volunteer Management from Center for Nonprofit Management of Middle TN/Vanderbilt through KTnB sponsored courses.

2006 TN Public Attitudes about Litter Statewide Survey completed by University of Memphis

First comprehensive litter prevention advertising campaign in 30 years kicked off with Stop Litter™ Tennessee’s Had Enough.

2007 All 25 TNKAB affiliates receive national President’s Circle Awards.

Judge Larry Potter, Memphis, received KAB Iron eyes Cody Lifetime Achievement Award.

KTnB First in America to Achieve 100% County Participation in 2007 Great American Cleanup™

- Back -