Chattanooga’s new litter crew will come alongside a slate of fresh programs and redoubled enforcement efforts, according to city officials.
During a Tuesday presentation, Public Works Administrator Jerramy Wood outlined his plan for a litter crew staffed by 19 people. It would be the first time the city has staff dedicated solely to litter pickup, he said, though the plan to reorganize and add positions still needs to be approved as part of the city budget next week.
Though the Public Works Department has already taken on over 5,000 litter projects in 2026, the litter crew would represent a more aggressive approach for cleanup, Wood said during the meeting.
“The mindset is something we need to attack and change,” Wood said. “I’ve watched people pour 55-gallon drums of grease into storm drains. I’ve watched an individual get out of his car, drop his Styrofoam platter of food with aluminum foil, kick it into a storm drain and drive away. That’s all mindset.”
Chattanooga to launch litter programs alongside new cleanup crew
