Litter Grant Program
Forecasted
Litter Grant Program supports Tennessee county governments with roadside litter pickup, prevention, and recycling education to promote safer roads, healthier communities, and natural scenic beauty.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5.5 million allocated annually statewide; FY2025 county allocations ranged from $44,200 to $251,100
Summary: Supports Tennessee county governments with roadside litter pickup, litter prevention, and recycling education.
Key Information: Available to all 95 Tennessee county governments, with 20%–35% of each allocation designated for education.
Description
The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Litter Grant Program subsidizes local litter pickup operations and litter prevention and recycling education in all 95 Tennessee counties. Administered by the Highway Beautification Office, the program focuses on removing litter from county and state roads while preventing littering behavior through local educational programming, community cleanups, and volunteer participation.
The program began issuing grants to county governments in 1983, using dedicated revenue from Tennessee’s Soft Drink and Malt Beverage industries. Its goals include safer roadways, healthier communities, and preservation of Tennessee’s natural scenic beauty. County programs combine cleanup operations with education directed toward students, the public, media, businesses, and government. The grants complement TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway, Litter Hotline, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and Nobody Trashes Tennessee initiatives.
