Keep Genesee County Beautiful 432 N. Saginaw, Suite 1001 Flint MI 48502 810-767-9696  
       

Keep America Beautiful believes every person has a stake in their community, including a stake in the community’s litter problem. Research and experience tell us that litter attracts the eye and, at times, litter attracts MORE litter. We have found that a clean community discourages littering and illegal dumping. Proper handling of litter and waste in a community raises the standards and expectations of everyone.

Who is littering?

There is no such thing as a single “littering type”. People of all ages and social backgrounds have been observed littering. Men and women, children, mature adults and all ages in between are equally likely to litter. Today’s litterer can no longer be described as a pick-up truck driving young man – today’s litterer may be you.

Keep America Beautiful does not believe there is a stereotypical litterer. Rather, it’s Network of Affiliates and other stakeholders use a variety of traditional and community education programs to teach responsible behavior and proper disposal of trash and waste. Litter is an individual behavioral problem or a business problem; it can become a problem for your community. And, changing a behavior which may be a societal norm, begins with each of us. It begins with YOU.

Where do people litter?

• Special Event Venues such as fairs, concerts, carnivals and other special events attract a large number of people, who will generate waste. Large events generate lots of waste.
• Involve event planners and vendors in having a “waste wise/litter free” event.
• Post signs with antilittering messages for all attendees.
• Plan ahead to assure that the number of waste and recycling receptacles matches the potential volume of waste.
• Place volunteers near receptacles to guide participants to proper waste disposal.

• Roadways and Highways as well as highway on/off ramps and roadway median strips have increasingly become the target of litterers. While Adopt-a-Highway/Roadway/Spot programs exist around the country, drivers and car passengers are littering these spots every day. The recent census reports that people spend more and more hours in the car everyday. People are snacking, smoking and eating their meals while traveling by car.
• Car litterbags are needed. And, when these are full, they should be emptied in a trash receptacle.
• Smokers must use a car ashtray and/or portable or pocket ashtray to dispose of cigarettes, lighting material and butts.
• All businesses appealing to clients who drive should encourage their customers to dispose of trash properly.
• Signage, messages on consumable products’ packaging and distribution of car litterbags is needed.

• Businesses like food vendors, convenience store owners, auto dealerships and auto rental agencies need to help their customers do the right thing, to be responsible for proper disposal of trash and waste.

• High Traffic and Everyday Locations are fast food businesses and deli’s, convenience stores, picnic ground, park benches and other high pedestrian traffic areas. Every community has businesses selling consumable products that generate packaging waste. And, every community has benches in parks as well as seating at bus stops and picnic areas where people will eat their lunch from home or food, beverages or snacks just purchased. These spots need to be properly maintained ash/trash receptacles need to be maintained and serviced regularly.

• Transition Points are the places where someone stops eating, drinking or smoking before they proceed. A Transition Point may be the entrance to a public building, an office, a retail establishment, a train platform or bus stop.

A Transition Point is the place where strategically placed receptacles will quickly and easily capture discarded papers, cans and cigarette butts. Individuals may drop items and create litter before they move into a building, onto a bus or into the train.

Identifying Transition Points in communities, equipping them with ash or trash receptacles and regularly and properly maintaining the receptacles will reduce litter and improve a community’s appearance.

Taken from the Keep America Beautiful:
Litter Prevention and Graffiti Abatement

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