What can you do to stop litter?

Consequences of litter

While research indicates that visible roadside litter has decreased by about 61 percent since 1969, litter is still a big, persistent problem. More than 51 billion pieces of litter land on U.S. roadways each year. That’s 6,729 items per mile. There are significant, tangible costs to this litter:

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  • Litter cleanup costs the U.S. almost $11.5 billion each year, with businesses paying $9.1 billion. Governments, schools, and other organizations pick up the remainder.
  • Community economy and quality of life suffer. The presence of litter in a community takes a toll on quality of life, property values, and housing prices.
  • Litter has environmental consequences. Wind and weather, traffic, and animals move litter into gutters, lawns and landscaped areas, alleyways, and parking structures. Debris may be carried by storm drains into local waterways. Litter that reaches any waterways generally finds its way into our oceans. In fact, more than 80% of the ocean debris is from land-based sources.

Where do people litter?

Individuals litter most on roads and highways and in retail, recreational, and residential locations:

  • Roadway Litter — Tobacco products, mostly cigarette butts, are the most littered item on U.S. roadways (38 percent). This is followed by paper (22 percent) and plastic (19 percent). Most of the litter on roads and highways is caused by people. Research shows that littering along roadways is generated by the following: motorists (52 percent), pedestrians (23 percent) and improperly covered truck or cargo loads, including collection vehicles (16 percent).
  • Transition points — These are entrances to businesses, transportation, and other places where items must be discarded before entering. Confection (candy, chocolate, gum, etc.) ranks at the top (54 percent) of what is littered at transition points; this is followed by cigarette butts at 30 percent.
  • Recreational Areas — Parks, beaches, courts, and open areas where people congregate for leisure activities create lots of opportunities for littering.
  • Retail — High-traffic locations such as shopping centers, strip malls, and convenience stores can generate packaging litter, and cigarette butts and confection on the ground.

Why people do it

Research and experience have shown that litter is the result of individual behavior — choosing to litter or being careless in the handling of waste. Research indicates that more than 80 percent of individuals believe that littering is wrong, and consequently feel a personal obligation not to litter. But research has found that nearly one in five, or 17 percent of all disposals observed in public spaces were littering. And 81 percent of this littering was intentional, that is involved flicking, flinging, or dropping trash. When asked, some litterers explain that they feel no sense of ownership for parks, walkways, beaches, and other public spaces. They believe someone else will pick up after them; that it’s not their responsibility.

Once litter is on the ground, it attracts more litter. A clean community, by contrast, can discourage littering and improve community appearance and quality of life.

Preventing it

Everyone has a role to play in preventing litter. Changing a common behavior, like littering, starts with you. Each person must accept responsibility for their actions and influence the actions of others around them at home, at school, in your place of business, and in the community at large. Start with these actions:

  • Choose not to litter. Ever.
  • Remind others not to litter and explain why litter is a bad thing.
  • Get a litter bag or portable ash receptacles. If you see litter, pick it up. Dispose of full litter bags appropriately.
  • Volunteer in your community for organized litter cleanup events.

Continue reading here: Benefits of Recycling

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Readers' Questions

  • elizabeth
    How to prevent littering in your community?
    5 months ago
  • Preventing littering in your community requires a combination of awareness, education, and enforcement. Here are some steps you can take to prevent littering:
    1. Raise awareness: Start by creating awareness about the adverse impacts of littering on the environment and community. Use social media platforms, community boards, or local newsletters to spread the word and educate people about the importance of keeping the community clean.
    2. Organize cleanup events: Regularly organize community cleanup events where residents, local organizations, and businesses can come together to clean up public spaces. This not only helps remove existing litter but also instills a sense of ownership and responsibility in residents.
    3. Install litter bins: Place easily accessible litter bins throughout the community, especially in high traffic areas, parks, bus stops, and public spaces. Make sure the bins are regularly emptied and well-maintained.
    4. Promote recycling: Encourage recycling by providing separate bins for recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, and glass. Educate residents about the importance of recycling and how it reduces litter.
    5. Encourage responsible pet ownership: Promote responsible pet ownership by reminding pet owners to clean up after their pets. Provide pet waste disposal stations and bags in parks and frequent dog walking areas.
    6. Educate schools and youth groups: Collaborate with local schools and youth groups to incorporate environmental education programs that teach students about the impacts of littering and the importance of waste management. Empower young people to be environmental stewards and spread the message to their peers.
    7. Engage businesses: Collaborate with local businesses to discourage littering. Encourage them to properly manage their waste and provide designated areas for customers to dispose of trash. Promote and support businesses that actively participate in community cleanup efforts.
    8. Enforce littering laws: Work with local authorities to enforce littering laws and impose fines for offenders. This creates a deterrent effect and increases responsibility in the community.
    9. Adopt and maintain public spaces: Encourage individuals or community organizations to adopt and maintain public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, or streets. This helps ensure regular cleaning and reduces the likelihood of litter accumulation.
    10. Lead by example: Be a role model and practice proper waste disposal yourself. Dispose of your own litter in designated bins and encourage those around you to do the same.
    11. Remember, preventing littering requires ongoing efforts and collaboration from the entire community. By working together, you can create a cleaner and healthier living environment for all.
    • Jessika
      Why should people stop littering?
      8 months ago
    • There are several reasons why people should stop littering:
      1. Environmental Impact: Littering has a significant negative impact on the environment. Trash, especially non-biodegradable items like plastic, can take years to decompose. It pollutes the land, water bodies, and even the air, harming the natural habitats of plants and animals.
      2. Human Health: Litter can pose health hazards for both humans and animals. It can attract pests like rats and insects, which carry diseases. Additionally, littered areas may harbor stagnant water, leading to the breeding of mosquitoes and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
      3. Aesthetics and Tourism: Littered areas are visually unattractive, degrading the beauty of the surroundings and impacting tourism. Communities that rely on tourism may suffer economically if visitors are discouraged due to trash-filled areas.
      4. Economic Costs: Littering costs governments and communities a significant amount of money in cleaning and disposal efforts. These resources could be better used for other important needs like education or healthcare.
      5. Personal Responsibility: Littering is a failure to take personal responsibility for one's actions. It shows a lack of respect for others, the environment, and future generations. By refraining from littering, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to preserving the planet for the well-being of all.
      6. Overall, stopping littering is essential for the health of the environment, animals, humans, and future generations. It requires a collective effort to keep our surroundings clean and maintain a sustainable world.
      • Robert Delacruz
        How to stop littering in neighborhood?
        8 months ago
      • There are several effective ways to stop littering in your neighborhood. Here are some tips:
        1. Raise awareness: Start by educating your neighbors about the negative impacts of littering on the environment and their community. Organize meetings, distribute informative pamphlets, or create awareness campaigns to spread the message.
        2. Provide proper disposal infrastructure: Make sure there are sufficient garbage cans and recycling bins in your neighborhood. If necessary, work with local authorities to request additional bins in strategic locations to encourage proper waste disposal.
        3. Organize clean-up events: Regularly organize neighborhood clean-up events where community members can come together to pick up litter. This fosters a sense of community pride and ownership while improving the environment.
        4. Establish neighborhood initiatives: Encourage your neighbors to participate in neighborhood initiatives focused on maintaining cleanliness. Develop committees or teams responsible for promoting cleanliness, monitoring littering hotspots, and maintaining public areas.
        5. Encourage responsible pet ownership: Litter from pet waste can be a significant issue in neighborhoods. Encourage responsible pet ownership by reminding pet owners to clean up after their pets and provide designated areas for waste disposal.
        6. Promote recycling: Emphasize the importance of recycling among your neighbors. Educate them about the benefits of recycling and provide information on local recycling programs and facilities.
        7. Install signage: Place clear and visible signs reminding individuals to dispose of their waste properly. Display them near trash cans, in parks, or other areas prone to littering.
        8. Engage local authorities: If littering persists and becomes an ongoing issue, report it to local authorities. They can increase surveillance, impose fines, and implement stronger measures to deter littering.
        9. Remember, fostering a sense of community pride and responsibility is crucial in preventing littering. By working together and creating a positive environment, you can make a significant impact on reducing litter in your neighborhood.
        • marjo rasimus
          How to solve littering?
          9 months ago
        • There are several ways to address the issue of littering. Here are some steps you can take to help solve the problem:
          1. Educate and raise awareness: Start by educating yourself and others about the negative impacts of littering on the environment, public health, and aesthetics. Spread awareness through social media campaigns, community events, school programs, and public service announcements.
          2. Promote responsible waste management: Encourage proper waste disposal by providing easily accessible and properly labeled trash bins in public areas. Offer recycling bins for different materials to promote recycling and reduce overall waste. Make sure these bins are regularly emptied and maintained.
          3. Implement and enforce laws: Advocate for stricter littering laws and enforce them consistently. Encourage your local authorities to increase penalties for littering offenses. Report any instances of littering to the appropriate authorities when you witness them.
          4. Organize clean-up events: Mobilize communities, schools, and organizations to conduct regular clean-up drives in public spaces, parks, and beaches. These events can raise awareness, build a sense of community, and make a visible impact on reducing litter.
          5. Encourage responsible behavior: Promote responsible behavior by setting an example. Dispose of your own waste properly and encourage others to do the same. Educate children and emphasize the importance of keeping our environment clean.
          6. Collaboration: Collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and government agencies to tackle the issue of littering as a united front. Coordinate efforts with local clean-up crews, environmental organizations, and local authorities to implement effective solutions.
          7. Implement effective signage and campaigns: Place clear signs and graphics in public areas reminding people not to litter. Design and launch campaigns that create public awareness, such as anti-littering slogans, catchy posters, and social media challenges to engage the public.
          8. Encourage packaging alternatives: Promote the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging materials. Encourage businesses and consumers to opt for reusable containers, bags, and bottles to reduce waste production.
          9. Remember, solving the issue of littering requires a long-term commitment from individuals, communities, and governments. Continuous efforts and a collective responsibility are necessary to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
          • lalia
            How does recycling stop littering?
            10 months ago
          • Recycling can help in reducing littering through several ways:
            1. Diverting waste from landfills: By recycling, materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metals can be reused instead of being disposed of in landfills. When waste is diverted from landfills, there is less chance of it being dumped or littered in public spaces.
            2. Promoting responsible waste management: Recycling encourages individuals and communities to be more conscious of their waste and dispose of it responsibly. This reduces the likelihood of littering since people are more likely to properly separate recyclable materials from general waste.
            3. Creating a circular economy: Recycling helps promote a circular economy, where materials are used, recycled, and reused in a continuous loop. This reduces the need for raw materials extraction and production, which can contribute to littering and environmental degradation.
            4. Educating about litter prevention: Recycling initiatives often come with educational campaigns that raise awareness about the negative impacts of littering on the environment and public spaces. By educating people about the importance of recycling, they become more aware of the consequences of littering and are more likely to dispose of their waste properly.
            5. Encouraging litter-free environments: Recycling programs often go hand in hand with efforts to maintain clean and litter-free environments. By providing convenient recycling bins and encouraging responsible waste disposal, recycling initiatives can help create cleaner communities and discourage littering behavior.
            6. While recycling alone may not completely eradicate littering, it plays a significant role in reducing the amount of waste that ends up as litter.