Cash For Trash Program

The Cash For Trash Program provides a financial reward to youth organizations that become Knox County Adopt-A-Road groups. When groups complete their cleanups they are eligible to receive donations from Keep Knoxville Beautiful of $75 per mile up to a maximum of $500 a year.

Basic Program Requirements

Organizations must be a bona fide youth organizations to qualify for the cash donations upon completing a litter cleanup.

Organizations must join the Knox County Adopt-A-Road Program and comply with all program rules including requirements for general safety, adult supervision, and any other rules. Click here for Knox County Adopt-A-Road Application Form and here for Knox County Adopt-A-Road Agreement. Both documents must be completed and turned in to the Knox County Solid Waste Office to join the program.

Upon completion of the litter cleanup, the youth organization will turn in the Donation Request Form to Keep Knoxville Beautiful. The Donation Request Form will include details of the cleanup and must include a signature from the Knox County official overseeing that litter cleanup. The signature will provide proof the litter cleanup was completed and the number of miles covered.

Participating groups may do cleanups several times a year and earn up to $500 in a 12 month period

City Streets and Neighborhoods
At this time, the City of Knoxville is very close to starting an Adopt-A-Block or Neighborhood program. City streets will also be eligible for this program.

History of Program
This program is the result of a contact made with Keep Knoxville Beautiful by Knox County Commissioner Paul Pinkston. Commissioner Pinkston imagined that youth groups could raise needed funds picking up litter instead of doing car washed and bake sales. After he contacted several program donors with the idea, the program became a reality.