Ft Worth Times

A clean city promotes quality of life, economic development and safe neighborhoods. Last year’s City budget focused on litter control and street sweeping to advance the overarching goal of a clean, safe city.

The City exceeded its goal of 11.5 million total pounds of litter and debris collected by collecting 19.9 million pounds. Additional program accomplishments:

•    Cleaning up 7,842 illegal dumpsites and 742 illegal campsites.

•    Increasing contracted litter abatement crews from two to 10 through UpSpire.

•    Implementing a weekly, quadrant-based plan to maximize impacts.

•    Installing a litter control device to demonstrate aquatic litter control tools in Lake Como.

•    Enacting a new abandoned shopping cart ordinance, effective last July.

“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. “We hope everyone can do their part to stop litter by controlling litter sources, to pick it up and to report it – join us on this journey to promote our community.”

Keep Fort Worth Beautiful facilitated communitywide cleanup events with Neighborhood Litter Stomp (October), the Cowtown Great American Cleanup (March) and other special cleanup events.

Park & Recreation Department litter control: In addition to regularly removing litter from public parks in Fort Worth, the Park & Recreation Department manages the contract mowing program for public property. Contract mowing uses multiple contractors to perform grounds maintenances along public rights of way, medians, select unimproved alleys and City facilities. In FY2023, contracts were amended to provide litter abatement during winter months while mowing services were on hold. Off-season winter litter abatement and mow-season litter abatement resulted in 50,652 pounds of trash and debris removed.

Street sweeping program: Additional street sweeping resources were provided as part of the FY23 budget. Funds were identified to purchase 12 new street sweepers, expected to be delivered in spring 2024. To advance street sweeping goals, the City executed a contract with Sweeping Corp. of America. This contract and staff efforts resulted in 26,542 curb miles swept in FY23.

Litter control along highways has become a key area of concern for residents and visitors. The City and the Texas Department of Transportation are collaborating to overcome challenges such as contractor availability, frequency of maintenance and scheduling. The City and TxDOT are piloting a program to increase litter abatement along highway corridors. Initial efforts will focus on two segments:

•    I-35W from downtown to I-20

•    I-30 from downtown west to Loop 820

By increasing the frequency of litter pickup, the pilot program seeks to create a noticeable impact along major highways. In addition, staff are exploring potential partnerships with neighboring entities such as DFW Airport, North Texas Tollway Authority and City of Arlington to increase levels of service.

What’s ahead in 2024? Litter control efforts will continue supporting the City budget theme So Safe, So Clean, So Green. Litter control efforts have been reorganized under the new Environmental Services Department, which will continue to support strategic budget priorities while delivering exceptional quality services. The City has a goal of removing 20 million pounds of litter across all programs.

What you can do. Controlling litter at its source is the most effective tool for preventing litter. Report litter by calling the City Call Center at 817-392-1234 or using the MyFW app. Residents can join litter cleanup efforts by emailing Keep Fort Worth Beautiful or by contacting the Call Center.

Original source can be found here.