Get Involved!
POP's success depends on lots of folks pitching in. Consider helping in any of the following ways:
1. SEEK AN ENDORSEMENT FROM YOUR COUNTY COMMISSION
Resolutions of support from county commissions are proving to be a key device in demonstrating support for a deposit and therefore in gaining legislative sponsors and votes. To date, 17 county governments (see list) and one city government (Oak Ridge) have endorsed a resolution of support. Only one local government body has failed to endorse (Greene County, 15-6 against), and that was in the wake of heavy lobbying by local beverage and convenience store interests.
Anderson County (15-5 in favor)
Bedford County (16 to 0)
Campbell County (14 to 0)
Carter County (23 to 0)
Claiborne County (21 to 0)
Crockett County (22 to 0)
Dickson County (12 to 0)
Gibson County (23 to 0?)
Grainger County (13 to 1)
Hardeman County (16 to 0)
Hickman County (14 to 4)
Humphreys County (13 to 0)
Loudon County (10 to 0)
Maury County (15 to 5)
Moore County (10 to 5)
Morgan County (16 to 0)
Shelby County (10 to 1)
We can use your help in getting more endorsements. To see a sample resolution, click here. Then, contact Marge Davis at margedavis@comcast.net; 615) 758-8647 to discuss further, get additional material and coordinate efforts.
2. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS
Nothing is more persuasive to legislators than notes, e-mails and phone calls from their constituents.
3. DO A SEPARATED LITTER CLEANUP
"X Marks the Spot" is POP's ongoing, statewide litter survey. Participants pick up bottles and cans separately from other litter using 13-gallon trash bags, then report the results to us. (Average after 24 cleanups: 50 percent.) Click here for guidelines and the reporting form.
4. SEND US YOUR PHOTOS
Pictures are worth a thousand votes! We welcome photographs demonstrating any aspect of this issue: beverage-container litter, under-used recycling receptacles, redemption centers in other states, products made from recycled containers, prospective redemption centers here in Tennessee--anything! We prefer digital files but prints are okay, too; see the Contact Us page.
5. TEACH THIS ISSUE IN YOUR CLASSROOM
If you're a teacher, consider giving a lesson on container recycling, then have your students write and sign a class letter to the legislators for your district, and/or to Governor Haslam. See Legislation for help on where to send the letters.
6. SIGN UP SUPPORTERS
Endorse the bill yourself, and enlist the endorsement of other groups and individuals. You can do this via the POP endorsement form. Click Supporters to see the list so far.
7. SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION
Volunteers are available to speak on the bill to community groups, business associations, local government officials and the like. E-mail Marge Davis or call (615) 758-8647 for more information.
8. GIVE YOUR OWN PRESENTATION
If you'd like to do your own presentation, we can help by providing POP brochures, the POP PowerPoint presentation or our "Bottle Bills Mean Businesss" DVD.
9. DONATE SERVICES
If you work in, or have access to, professional services such as advertising, public relations, graphics, printing, videography, etc., let us know. We might need you.
10. DONATE TO SCENIC TENNESSEE
Go to the Donate page to support POP's parent group, Scenic Tennessee.
