Let’s Talk Trash! JAN/FEB 2018
20
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TDOT Visits CCCHS Editorial Staff Tennessee Department of Transportation
Laura Williams, Environmental Program Outreach Coordinator and Susan Stokes, Financial Coordinator for TDOT came to Cheatham County Central High School to be interviewed by Rick Amburgey’s creative writing class for Let’s Talk Trash news. In lieu of just speaking to the class, the students opted to take this opportunity to interview them. Our student editorial staff was energtic and full of questions and received some surprising answers: Yes! The smell of these items draws animals to come close to highways resulting in animal deaths and accidents. What’s the biggest trash problem in Cheatham County? TIRES are a huge problem as they are not biodegradable and ILLEGAL DUMPING on the back roads is the worst problem in Cheatham County with items such as, couches, TV’s, mattresses, tires, etc. Are food items considered litter?
What is the cost to the State to pick up Litter? $15 million dollars per year. The amount TDOT spends has not decreased, but the amount of litter found along state routes has not decreased. 100 million pieces of litter are picked up each year! If you do the math, that is 15¢ per piece of litter! Litter can cause property values to decrease by 7%. If you see trash when you go into a neighborhood, more than likely you won’t want to buy a house there. If a neighbor has piles of litter and trash in their yard, your property value decreases. Who wants to live next to trash? What are litter fines and how does the legal system handle these charges? Not very well. Judges put these issues at the bottom of the list, as there are more important issues on their dockets. Do you think the government should force stronger litter laws? TDOT is not a law enforcing agency; so, we cannot force police offiers and judges across the state to enforce the laws anymore. Thankfully, through the litter grant program, we partner with a lot of Sheriff Departments throughout the state. Who are the greatest offenders of litter? Age group from 16 to 34 yrs. If you think about the age 16, it is when one gets a driver’s license!
What is the most littered item? Drink cups.
What is the worst littered item? TIRES! They are one of the biggest problems when it comes to getting rid of them. There
needs to be new ways to recycle tires so they can be easier to get rid of them.
Why do people litter? I think it is just a really obnoxious lazy behavior.
Who litters more, Men or Women? Women! In a study, it was found that women like a cleaner car and tend to throw things out. Men do not seem to be as concerned with a dirty car. Mom’s are busy and want a quick, easy way to clean their car because you know how moms don’t like a dirty car. This isn’t so easy on the environment.
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