Where Litter Comes From:
Facts from Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful has studied litter sources, littered materials and the behavior of why people litter for 70 years. They have learned a lot about why we have litter in the United States.
Using the results of this study, KAB found out that litter along roadways and highways comes from:
52% from motorists
18% from pedestrians
21% from trash haulers & unsecured loads from motorists
The main source (70%) of litter on our roads & highways
comes from people.
NOT from trash and recycling trucks.
Now that we know, how will we make changes to correct this statistic?
Don't toss anything out of your car -This includes cigarette butts, food wrappers and beverage containers.
*** Easy solution: get a car trash can to use as a temporary place before you get home.
Don't leave waste when walking or biking -This includes wrappers, water bottles and especially dog waste bags.
*** Easy solution: Carry out what you carry in. Get a dog collar or harness that has a clip to attach a dog waste bag.
Don't let anyone you know litter -Whether you're in a parking lot, on the trails, or driving, when you see someone ready to toss something, stop them and/or ask them to pick it up.
*** Easy Solution: Share that it is NEVER okay to litter. If we say nothing, it sends
the message it is okay to litter and we don't mind or care.
Read the Full KAB Fact Sheet- Sources of Litter
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