Mid City Times

Published on December 09, 2023

A clean city promotes quality of life, economic development, and safe neighborhoods. Last year, the City of Fort Worth focused its budget on litter control and street sweeping, exceeding its goal of collecting 11.5 million pounds of litter and debris by collecting a staggering 19.9 million pounds.

"Litter control is everyone's responsibility, and our staff are thrilled to help lead by example as we work with partners, our residents, and visitors to create and maintain a clean, safe, and green Fort Worth," said Oneil Johnson, an environmental services superintendent who oversees litter control operations.

To achieve this goal, the City implemented various programs and initiatives. Keep Fort Worth Beautiful facilitated community-wide cleanup events such as the Neighborhood Litter Stomp in October, the Cowtown Great American Cleanup in March, and other special cleanup events throughout the year.

The Park & Recreation Department played a vital role in litter control by regularly removing litter from public parks and managing the contract mowing program for public property. In addition, they implemented winter litter abatement and mow-season litter abatement, resulting in the removal of 50,652 pounds of trash and debris.

The City also invested in its street sweeping program by allocating funds to purchase 12 new street sweepers. These sweepers, expected to be delivered in the spring of 2024, will help advance the street sweeping goals. The City has also executed a contract with Sweeping Corp. of America, resulting in the sweeping of 26,542 curb miles in the fiscal year 2023.

Recognizing the concerns regarding litter control along highways, the City has collaborated with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to pilot a program aimed at increasing litter abatement along highway corridors. By increasing the frequency of litter pickup, the program aims to make a noticeable impact.

Looking ahead to 2024, litter control efforts will continue to support the City's budget theme of "So Safe, So Clean, So Green." These efforts have been reorganized under the new Environmental Services Department, which will continue to deliver exceptional quality services while supporting strategic budget priorities. The City has set a goal of removing 20 million pounds of litter across all its programs.

Residents are encouraged to do their part in controlling litter by reporting it through the City Call Center or using the MyFW app. They can also join litter cleanup efforts by reaching out to Keep Fort Worth Beautiful or contacting the Call Center.

A clean and litter-free city is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to the overall well-being of its residents. The City of Fort Worth is committed to maintaining a clean, safe, and green environment for everyone to enjoy.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/news/2023/12/litter-control