ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) — An Antioch leader is targeting illegal dumping by introducing new signs that point people to legal options for getting rid of bulky trash.

Instead of just warning people, District 8 Beatification Commissioner Melissa Raymond wants to give folks the opportunity to stop illegal dumping.

Raymond is pushing for new signs that offer QR codes that link to legal drop-off locations.

For months, dumping has been reported at Antioch High School, on country roads, and in vacant lots across Antioch. People have left behind old mattresses, toilets, and even construction materials.

While fines can range upwards of $500, that does not stop people.

"I see a lot of these no littering, fine signs around town, and they are bent [and] aged," Raymond said. "They are not accomplishing anything. So I really wanted to try something different in a more positive way."

The new sign, which will feature a QR code, will go up in popular dumping spots. It will connect people to legal drop-off sites.

"It says 'No dumping. Dispose of bulk items and construction material at designated drop off sites,'" Raymond described. "And then below it, it has it written in Spanish."

The QR code takes you to a page with specific disposal options for mattresses, tires and toilets.

"I just think there is not a lot of open knowledge about where to take stuff, especially if you have moved here from out of state or another country," she explained.

Raymond is also looking into the possibility of adding them to stop signs, catching people's attention when they are most likely to notice.

"I just think if you are stopping at a stop sign and that sign is in front of you and you need to get rid of something, you are like, 'Oh, I'm stopped already. Let me scan that QR code or take a picture of that," she added.

Fifty signs have already been printed, and they will be placed in known trouble spots across the district.

"Just put little Xs where we want them, and then we will send that to NDOT," Raymond told News 2.

Her message to the community is simple: take pride in where you live.

"We are trying to bring Antioch back to this beautiful place that it was to live in many years ago, and it seems to have fallen by the wayside," Raymond concluded.

If you see illegal dumping in action, you can report it to hubNashville or call 311.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/new-signs-in-antioch-aim-to-curb-illegal-dumping-with-qr-codes/