Huntsville’s Green Team pushes for cleaner roads with #LitterFreeHSV
Published on July 30, 2024
With continued growth and increased traffic, the volume of litter on highly trafficked corridors, such as I-565 and Memorial Parkway, has increased. Huntsville Director of Landscape Management Brian Walker said a particular challenge is unsecured or overstuffed trucks and waste haulers transporting trash and materials.
“It is shocking the amount of road debris that flies off the backs of trucks,” Walker said. “We have crews that work overnight to clean up roadways when traffic is less of a danger. All our crews routinely collect 28,000 pounds of garbage each week.”
Green Team, a division of the City’s Landscape Management Department, has worked for decades to combat litter, promote sustainability and provide environmental education. While these endeavors have shown dividends, the City is intensifying effort to ensure a new generation of residents understand the benefits of keeping Huntsville beautiful.
“Natural beauty is part of what makes Huntsville such a special place, but it’s not something we can take for granted,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “To keep Huntsville beautiful is not something the City can do alone. It’s going to take everyone’s vigilance and participation.”
For Huntsville Police, road litter is more than unsightly – it’s dangerous. According to Huntsville Police Department (HPD) Capt. Stephen Anderson, drivers who spot road debris may become fixated on it, leading to distracted driving.
“Reducing road litter is everyone’s responsibility,” Capt. Anderson said. “HPD is proud to stand with Green Team and their efforts to educate residents, commuters and businesses to keep Huntsville’s roadways safe and beautiful.”
City Council President David Little is eager to motivate residents to take an active role in keeping Huntsville clean and green.
“We don’t just want to reduce litter in Huntsville,” Little said. “We want our community to partner with us in making sure it does not happen in the first place.”
Green Team offers these tips to drive away litter:
- When hauling items, tarp your truck
- Follow overfill ordinances
- Secure any loose items or trash
- Add 53-CLEAN (256-532-5326) to your contacts to report litter to Green Team
For more on litter prevention, visit HuntsvilleAL.gov/litterfreehsv , including ways to Adopt-a-Spot and participate in or organize a cleanup event.
Follow the #LitterFreeHSV effort on the City’s and Green Team’s social channels.