Getting to the Bottom of the Litter Problem

I’ve got a few hot spots when it comes to topics that I like to research and discuss for greenerMIAMI. Buying local, public transportation, and trash (litter & recycling). I guess these topics jump out at me because there is no reason that each individual can’t do something positive in each of these areas. Although I hope that we can affect the governments to make city, county, state & national changes, I like to believe (and encourage) that each individual CAN make a difference.

Earlier this month as I was walking along the bayfront on Brickell Bay Drive, an area that consistently has a litter problem, I started to wonder: Is there a correlation between litter & distance/availability of trash cans?

I can certainly say that there is a correlation for me when it comes to picking up the trash. Yesterday I walked 8 blocks along Brickell Avenue to get from one trash can to the next. My hands were full by the 2nd block. I’m one of very few people with the patience to walk 8 blocks with a ton of dirty litter in their hands.

Vacant lots also prove to be problem areas, which is no surprise.

This will be an area that greenerMIAMI will continue to research, because litter is an issue that both the general public and the government can affect. If we can find conclusive data from other cities and studies on litter correlations, we will recommend them to the local government. Additionally, we’ll be looking into any existing educational programs in the Miami-Dade schools to educate children not to litter.

NEW JERSEY STUDY

Our research is starting with New Jersey, which has significant studies published on this topic. Quick notes from their report: 55% of litter was deliberate, other 45% accidental (falling from a flatbed truck, etc.), with the accidental rates falling when not on a ‘major’ highway. Males were found to be the majority of the litterers, with ages under 30 for deliberate and over 30 for accidental.

Where does the litter go? The NJ study found that 41% is picked up (by individual or garbage collection), 24% bio- or photo-degrades (this is mostly vacant lots), 18% washes into a body of water, and the remainder is covered by soil or other buildup and is buried.

Visible litter was 70% more visible on freeway and rural roads, but urban streets were ranked a higher priority for litter reduction because more people encounter the urban litter.

States with advertising based (anti-litter) programs show 48% lower litter rates. Enforcement programs are also highly effective.

The study DOES address receptacle (trash can) effectiveness. Using studies from Alaska, California, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nebraska & Washington, as well as Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, the data shows that "litter receptacles are fairly effective in reducing litter, averaging 40% lower rates in urban & rural locales."