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5th Annual Chickamauga Lake Cleanup Weekend Presented by iSustain

A volunteer picks up a discarded barrel during the 2025 Chickamauga Lake clean up presented by iSustain.

On June 7, iSustain once again partnered with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) for the 5th Annual Chickamauga Lake Cleanup Weekend. A yearly event focused on meaningful environmental action, community connection, and record-breaking results.

As part of iSustain’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, this year’s Chickamauga Lake clean up brought together employees, families, local organizations, and volunteers ready to make a difference.

Volunteers loading a boat with rusted barrels, tires, and trash bags collected during the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup along the Tennessee River shoreline.

Breaking Records with Every Bag

This year’s cleanup was the most impactful to date. In just one day, volunteers removed a remarkable 7,381 pounds of litter and debris from the shoreline and waterway. 

The haul included: 

  • 111 bags of trash 
  • 21 tires 
  • 27.5 steel drums 
  • 396 square feet of Styrofoam 
  • 140 pounds of scrap metal 
  • Half of a pontoon deck

Altogether, the collected debris filled two whole dumpsters—a testament to the dedication and hard work of this year’s volunteer crew. 

Here’s a look at the impact over the past five years: 

  • 2021 – 4,945 lbs 
  • 2022 – 6,526 lbs 
  • 2023 – 8,430 lbs 
  • 2024 – 5,959 lbs 
  • 2025 – 7,381 lbs

In total, iSustain and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful have helped remove 33,241 pounds of trash from Chickamauga Lake and adjacent stretches of the Tennessee River.

Turning Back the Tide on Microplastics

Removing large debris doesn't just improve the scenery—it stops the formation of microplastics at the source. Events like the Chickamauga Lake clean up prevent harmful plastic fragments from entering the ecosystem and impacting aquatic life and human health. Each cleanup effort is a step toward healthier rivers and more sustainable communities.

Five Years of Leadership and Legacy

Since its start, the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup Weekend has been guided by the leadership of iSustain’s Mark Huber, Vice President of Business Development and Board President of KTNRB. He, along with his wife and iSustain owner Dawn Huber, joined the clean up alongside their team. 

"This cleanup isn’t just about picking up trash—it’s about showing what’s possible when people care enough to roll up their sleeves and take action,” said Huber. “Cleaner rivers, healthier communities, and a chance to inspire the next generation to think differently about waste—that’s the kind of impact we’re proud to be part of.”


iSustain volunteers smiling in life vests at the marina before launching for the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup event.

Community at the Core

This year’s clean up was made possible by a range of passionate partners. Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful helped with local volunteer recruitment, while KTNRB managed the volunteers, and Absolute Waste Management generously donated the dumpsters that made the large-scale removal possible. 

Mark and Dawn Huber have also demonstrated personal stewardship by adopting Tennessee River Mile 489 through KTNRB’s Adopt a River Mile program for several years—an ongoing pledge to protect their local waters beyond the event weekend.

In Their Words: Partners Making a Difference

KTNRB Executive Director Kathleen Gibi shared: 

“This annual cleanup sponsored by iSustain is a great example of the true impact that our volunteers and partners make possible when we’re able to pull together for our river. The impressive impact—like the 16.5 tons of trash removed by volunteers at iSustain cleanups over the last five years—will continue to contribute to the community for years to come, probably in more ways than we can measure.”

Keep the Clean Up Going

As iSustain continues its work toward environmental responsibility, events like the Chickamauga Lake clean up remind us how much is possible when people come together with purpose. 

“Together with KTNRB, we want to inspire people of all ages to change their behavior—to reduce, reuse, and recycle—so that fewer materials end up in our waterways in the first place,” said Huber.

Join the Effort Year-Round

Thanks to everyone who made the 2025 Chickamauga Lake clean up such a success. Your time, energy, and commitment help protect the future of our shared waterways.

iSustain and KTNRB volunteers gathered at the marina receiving safety instructions before launching the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup effort.

Volunteers relaxing and boating on Chickamauga Lake during the iSustain and KTNRB river cleanup, enjoying a break after collecting trash along the shoreline.

Chickamauga Lake Cleanup volunteers in life vests gather near the marina for safety instructions before heading out for the environmental cleanup effort.

Volunteers from the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup collecting rusted barrels and bags of debris along the Tennessee River shoreline during iSustain’s annual cleanup event.

Volunteers in life vests gathered in the marina parking lot during the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup, preparing for a day of river debris collection.

Chickamauga Lake Cleanup volunteers removing Styrofoam debris from a wetland area and smiling after a successful day of environmental service along the Tennessee River.

Volunteer proudly lifting a rusted barrel overhead during the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup, removing debris from the Tennessee River shoreline forest area.

Chickamauga Lake Cleanup volunteers smiling after a successful shoreline cleanup and relaxing on a boat ride back across the Tennessee River.

Group of smiling iSustain and KTNRB volunteers in life jackets preparing to launch from the Chickamauga Lake marina for the annual river cleanup event.


Volunteers collecting rusted barrels and litter along the Tennessee River shoreline during the Chickamauga Lake Cleanup, smiling after a successful effort.



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