The gist
The new fleet will help staff improve city cleanliness by expanding sweeping routes and increasing cycle frequencies to keep up with Fort Worth’s growth, officials said. The 12 sweepers will replace the two sweepers previously used by city officials.
Fort Worth Environmental Services Director Cody Whittenburg said that cleaning up the debris and litter will not only keep the city streets clean, but help maintain other city initiatives.
“We look forward to the direct impacts that removing litter and debris from roadways will have, while promoting safety and working to keep this material out of storm drains that lead to our lakes, streams and Trinity River," Whittenburg told Community Impact.
The backstory
As part of the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, Fort Worth city officials used funds to purchase the 12 new street sweepers to be implemented in 2024.
City officials have a goal of removing 20 million pounds of litter in 2024, Community Impact previously reported. In 2023, 19.9 million pounds of trash and debris was collected from around the city.
The city has partnered with TxDOT to pilot a program that will increase the frequency of litter pickup along Fort Worth’s highways as part of its Keep Fort Worth Beautiful initiative—the city’s beautification, waste reduction and sustainability program.
The Solid Waste and Environmental Protection Funds portion of the budget implemented a raise in its monthly environmental fee—from 50 cents to $1.50—to help with the efforts.
Quote of note
“Our team is thrilled to onboard our new street sweepers. It brings another level of excitement to our entire community as we work together to create and maintain a clean, attractive city," Whittenburg said. "...The street sweeping program will continue to build community awareness and help us influence future generations to get involved as we strive to keep Fort Worth and our region beautiful.”
