Countywide Litter Cleanup Event A Success

A week-long blitz to rid Putnam County of litter comes to an end Saturday.

Clean Commission Executive Coordinator Shannon Reese said more than 30 teams have taken part in this week’s event.

“We have had tremendous success. We have enlisted Tech students, Cookeville Higher Education Campus students, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Heavenly Host and individuals,” Reese said. “Basically, we’re trying to get people outside, aware of litter and then make the effort to clean it up because we all live in this community and it’s going to take all of us to get it clean and keep it clean.”

The second annual Putnam Proud Countywide Cleanup began Saturday, September 21. A celebration takes place Saturday, September 28 to recognize those who volunteered to pick up litter this week.

Cleanup efforts have taken place all over the county. Reese said she’s hoping some of the locations will become focus areas for individuals and volunteer groups.

“I’m trying to pick places that are close and they can eventually adopt,” Reese said. “We have an adopt a road program and if you clean the place three times, we can post a sign and supply all the cleaning supplies. We’d like to encourage people to take this to the next step and adopt it.”

Saturday’s celebration takes place at 5 p.m. at the Biz Foundry in Cookeville.