The Big Orange Trash Bash is a community –wide roadside litter clean up and awareness campaign sponsored by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, The Daily Times and Keep Blount Beautiful.

“This year was a wonderful success” says Charlene DeSha, Executive Director for Keep Blount Beautiful, “I’m so excited how BlountCounty showed their “Volunteer” spirit this year!”

380 volunteers collected 508 bags of litter (equal to 7,600 lbs) which were used to create a BIG ORANGE POWER T and is currently displayed in on the lawn of the McGheeTysonAirport from now until October 25. Fans arriving for the Tennessee-Alabama football game will be treated to a memorable display of the power of individuals who make a visible difference in their community.

Past events from 1998 to 2000 have collected a total of 14.29 tons of trash and cleaned 147 miles of roadways with the help of 1777 volunteers, 43 community groups and 17 schools. In 2009, 280 volunteers collected 350 bags of litter.

In today’s world where there is so much trash accumulated though thrown away cups, bottle and fast food wrappers, there is a constant and massive need to pick up trash, clean up the roadsides and various public places which get a large amount of litter left by careless residents and visitors.

The Big Orange Trash Bash is a result of successful partnerships between a variety of agencies and businesses as well as volunteers. Keep Blount Beautiful providing project management. MetropolitanKnoxvilleAirport Authority providing display site and layout along with t-shirts and orange bags plus advertising sponsor The Daily Times. Governmental agencies participating include the Blount County Sheriffs Department, City of Alcoa Public Works, the City of Maryville Public Works Department and the Alcoa/Maryville/Blount County Landfill.