New city initiative removing litter from Memphis streets
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The City of Memphis has launched a new initiative called Blight Zero: Project Clean City to remove trash from Memphis roads and neighborhoods.
“We hear residents and the frustration around keeping the city clean, so this is Mayor Young’s initiative and effort to play our part,” said Karen Gause, Special Assistant to the Mayor for Neighborhood Concerns.
Under the initiative, the city pays local groups and small businesses to remove litter from assigned areas. Each hired group works in the city council district they are based in.
“We know this is just one step, one piece of trash at a time that will help make our city cleaner,” Gause said.
On Thursday, the group Operation Taking Back 901, was picking up trash along Thomas Street in Frayser. Group founder Arieale Munson told FOX13, “So many times we hear what the city is not doing, but the city is providing opportunities for us to come out and make our community better as a whole.”
Since the program launched in late May 2025, Gause said workers have already collected 23,000 bags of garbage along Memphis’ busiest roads.
“One person can’t do it. We have to come together as a city as a whole, ” said Munson
She added everyone can play a part to keep Memphis looking good.
“This blight issue is because of our citizens throwing trash out, so it doesn’t take but a minute to throw things in the garbage can,” Munson said.
In a separate cleanup effort on Thursday, Mitchell High School students including band members, cheerleaders and football players worked to pick up litter in the Walker Homes area around the school in Southwest Memphis.
Football player Julius Drain told FOX13, “We’re picking up litter cause we ain’t trash.”
Mitchell High Cheerleader Jerkiylia Tate said, “We want our community to know that we are here to support them and they can support us.”
And the president of the Mitchell High football parent committee Brittany Gales said, “My son and his father they’re six generations of Walker Homes. So, we kind of bleed this community, Walker Homes and black and gold Mitchell High. So, take pride in what you love and what you’re a part of.”
The Mitchell High effort was supported by Memphis City Beautiful and the Memphis Police Department. Memphis Mayor Paul Young also visited with the teens to praise their effort.