The primary activities include:
- April 2, Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tri-State Exhibition Center;
- “It’s All About the Green” on April 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cleveland State Community College;
- Cleveland/Bradley Greenway and Mouse Creek cleanup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16; and
- The yard sale and flea market KAB benefit at Stuart Elementary School on May 7.
Similar activities will take place nationwide as hundreds of affiliates and participating organizations rally an estimated 3 million volunteers to hold litter and debris cleanup events on public lands and waterways, host recycling drives, spruce up community parks and playgrounds, remove graffiti, plant trees and community gardens, and host many more activities designed to improve our environment. As the 2011 “Great American Cleanup” begins, I want to remind our citizens of the positive contributions KAB has made to our community since 1991.
The Cleveland/Bradley Keep America Beautiful Program is overseen by a board of local citizens who represent a cross section of people in our community. It supports and promotes a clean environment through its environmental education programs and the Adopt-A-Spot/Adopt-A-Campus Programs and workshops.
The Cleveland/Bradley KAB affiliate also provides a litter hotline. This allows citizens who witness littering from a motor vehicle to call the hotline and supply the date, location, approximate time, tag number and item tossed. The information is then directed to the Cleveland Police Department and an “Oops” letter, along with a litter bag is mailed to the registered vehicle owner. They are reminded that it is illegal to litter and a fine can be levied for doing so. The Litter Hotline can also be used to report environmental concerns in your neighborhood. The number is 423-559-3307.
One of the most visible contributions the Cleveland/Bradley KAB makes to our community is during the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. The annual event is underwritten and sponsored by Bradley County and Santek Environmental. KAB mobilizes dozens of local volunteers to ensure the collection day runs smoothly. Crews will be available on April 2 at Tri-State Exhibition Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist you in disposing of your household hazardous waste.
Recycling is an important part of keeping Bradley County clean. The 2010 recycling audit has been completed and I’m happy to report the use of our drop-off recycling centers is growing. The computer and electronics recycling bins at the Peerless Road drop-off center continue to be filled on a regular basis. The plastic recycling bins at the Peerless Road and Urbane Road centers have also seen a lot of activity. Your continued support of the county’s recycling efforts will help preserve our environment and also extend the life of the Bradley County Landfill.
As mayor I appreciate everyone’s support of the county’s recycling effort as we work together to make Bradley County “Tennessee at its best.”
The Cleveland/Bradley County Keep America Beautiful affiliate is open to everyone. For more information about the KAB program contact Joanne Maskew, executive director, at 423-559-3307, or by email, clevebradkab@aol.com.
