Earth Day is an observance held annually during spring. It is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Many schools and communities around the world join together to help clean up the litter in their neighborhoods. You too can help by educating yourself on litter prevention.
Be an anti-litter pro. Start by setting a good example. In the fight against litter, attitude is everything and knowledge is power.
Litter prevention starts with a sense of ownership – an attitude that says “we’ll take care of the places where we live, work and visits as if they were our very own”. It is common sense and common courtesy, and that is how we all can make a big difference! Please scroll down to learn more about litter prevention.
- What is Litter?
Litter is misplaced solid waste, or trash that’s discarded in the wrong place.You litter when you drop a gum wrapper on the sidewalk instead of in a trashcan. Or when the wind blows your garbage around on pick-up day because your bags weren’t properly tied. That kind of careless and casual handling of waste creates litter. And litter creates problems for everyone.
- Why Do People Litter?
It’s all about attitude. People who litter in public spaces like parks or sidewalks do it because they have no sense of ownership. “Someone else will pick it up,” they think. Or maybe they’re just passing through and simply don’t care. Then, other people see the litter and think it must be OK, so they litter, too.
But it’s not OK. It’s disrespectful. It’s selfish, and it’s lazy. But the good news is, stopping this bad habit is as easy as changing your attitude!
- How Do People Litter?
When people have a careless attitude, littering knows no limits. Here are some of the most common littering scenarios:
• Debris thrown from cars or left along the road;
• Pedestrians throwing or leaving waste behind;
• Careless handling of household waste at the curbside;
• Careless use of dumpsters by businesses;
• Mishandling of waste at loading docks;
• Mishandling of waste at construction and demolition sites; and
• Improperly secured waste falling or blowing off vehicles.
- Where Do People Litter?
People aren’t likely to litter in their own yard because they own it. What about the neighborhood park? That feels like it’s “theirs” in a way, too. But when people don’t feel this sense of ownership, or if they think someone else will clean it up, they’re more likely to litter. Here are some of the most common litter locations:
• Special event venues – like concert grounds or ball fields;
• Roadways and highways;
• Places with lots of foot traffic – picnic areas, playgrounds,
stadium bleachers, convenience stores, fast food businesses,
etc.; and
• Transition points: places where trash must be deposited before
proceeding, like building entrances or bus stops.
- What Can I Do?
Your attitudes and actions influence others. Demonstrate to everyone around you that it’s never OK to litter, and be proactive about cleaning up litter you come across. It’s an attitude that feels good, and it’s contagious. Here are a few ways to pass it on:
• Set an example by always using a receptacle and never
littering;
• Pick up at least one piece of litter every day;
• Make sure your garbage is secured on pickup day with lids on
tight and bags properly tied;
• Always keep a litterbag in your car;
• Pay attention to where littering occurs – discuss why, and how
it could be fixed, with those around you;
• Find and join a local anti-litter initiative – clean-up day,
awareness campaign, etc.;
• Don’t forget to pick up after your dog; and remember
• Most waste isn’t trash, so recycle it if you can.
