The efforts of our staff and volunteers will help preserve our historic community for generations to come.
1978
Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) was founded in 1978 as the Greater Knoxville Beautification Board (GKBB) to help clean up Knoxville before the 1982 World's Fair.
1980
University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors urged citizens to volunteer (see what we did there?) on Johnny's Clean Team.
1982
GKBB sponsored a charette during the World’s Fair: Knox 2000: A Vision of the Future.
1985
The first Trash Bash was held at World's Fair Park.
1988
Knoxville's Environmental Court established.
1990
The Living Tributes program kicked off in 1990 with a tree planting in Fountain City Park.
1993
GKBB's cable TV show, Be Pretty Proud, was first broadcast with host Mary Lou Horner.
1997
GKBB changed its name to Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
1999
KKB launched first interactive website in the Keep America Beautiful affiliate system.
2002
KKB formed the Youth Advisory Board.
2004
“Don’t Throw Down on K-Town” premiered on billboards and trash cans throughout Knoxville encouraging residents to properly dispose of their litter.
2009
Cigarette Litter Prevention Program is implemented.
2014
KKB teamed with Make Orange Green to increase recycling awareness at UT home games.
2016
KKB planted over 60,000 daffodil bulbs along I-275.
2019
KKB celebrated 40 years with the inaugural KKB Summit.
