Litter and the Environment
The world, in regards to trash, has changed considerably during the last century. Every
day each American generates an average of about 4.6 pounds of garbage, we are creating more
waste than ever before (Florida, 2008)! Litter can be defined as misplaced solid waste and
littering as the intentional or unintentional
misplacement of solid waste (State, 1999).
Litter is carried by the wind, traffic and by
water and travels until it is obstructed by
such structures as curbs, fences and
buildings (Florida Litter, 2008). Once litter
gathers in these areas, it invites people to
add more and more waste (Florida Litter,
2008). As indicated by Keep America
Beautiful, there are seven primary sources
of litter: household trash at the curbside,
dumpsters used by businesses, loading
docks, construction and demolition sites,
uncovered trucks, motorists and pedestrians (Florida Litter, 2008). People litter for simple
reasons. According to Florida Litter Information (2008) these reasons are: convenience, litter has
already accumulated, they think someone else will clean up after them or they lack a sense of
ownership (even though many areas are public property). Around 10 million dollars is spent
annually by the Florida Department of Transportation to
clean up roadside trash, along with thousands more from
local governments (Florida Litter, 2008). Think about
where this money comes from… taxpayers! If we reduce
and eventually eliminate litter, we would save ourselves
millions.
Litter is not just displeasing to the eye; it harms the
environment in many ways. Litter lowers property values,
it disintegrates land, water and storm water systems
(leading to flooding), it threatens wildlife and it is
correlated with crime (Environmental, 2009). Animals such
as birds, fish and other marine animals are commonly
found with cigarette filters and plastic in their stomachs
because they are mistaken for food (Litter, 2006). Other
animals get tangled or trapped in plastics such as drink
holders, bags and fishing line (Litter, 2006). Aluminum
may cause external injuries to animals as well (Florida
Litter, 2008). Litter can also contaminate our drinking
supply and pose threats to our health (Litter, 2006). It
provides an ideal breeding ground for disease-spreading insects like flies and mosquitoes
(Florida Litter, 2008). All this can be prevented by putting waste in its proper spot. If an object
can be recycled, put it in a recycling bin and if it cannot be recycled, put it in a trash bin- Do not
drop waste on the ground or water, do not litter (Environmental, 2009).
The number one most commonly littered object around
the world is cigarette filters, at a rate of several trillion every
year or billions everyday (Cigarette Litter, 2006). This may be
due to the fact that many people think these filters are made of
cotton and are biodegradable- this is false! Cigarette filters are
made of cellulose acetate tow and are designed to trap deadly
toxins (Cigarette Litter, 2006). When littered, cigarette butts
poison the environment, kill animals and start fires (Cigarette
Litter, 2006). Cigarette filter litter is common because of
several reasons. According to Keep Orlando Beautiful one
reason is the widespread smoking bans which force smokers to
take the habit outdoors (City, 2009). Adding to this reason, they
also note that there is an inadequate supply of ash tray or
receptacles (City, 2009). Keep Orlando Beautiful is working
towards prevention by installing more such receptacles as well
as by passing out pocket ash trays at local concerts and events
(5,000 have been passed out to date) (City, 2009). The last
reason
cigarettes
butts are the most
common form of
litter is because many do not consider filters in the
same category as other litter such as cans, bottles,
paper, etc. (City, 2009). This is a harmful and false
mindset- litter is litter no matter how small. The city
of Orlando is doing its part to stop this prevalent form
of litter but to be successful, the residents must join
the effort. Do not use the world as an ash tray, dispose
of cigarette litter appropriately.
Many programs are in place to educate about and prevent litter, as well as to dispose of
waste in the most environmentally helpful ways. Education programs such as Can It for the
Planet, School Environmental Club, Stormwater Education and Wartville Wizard have been set
up to help students and adults (City, 2009). Adopt A Street/ Stop/ Beach, Cigarette Litter
Prevention Program, Park Bench Program, Event Recycling and Phone Book Recycling are just
a few of the programs established in the name of prevention (City, 2009). The Environmental
Protection Agency has outlined The 3 R’s as a waste management approach: Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle (Environmental, 2009). Reduce is the
most important of the three because if you do
not create it, you do not have to manage it, so
buy only what you need and use all you buy
(Environmental, 2009). Also, avoid heavy
packaging and disposable items, refuse bags at
fast food restaurants or when you buy a small
amount of items, start a compose pile for yard
scraps instead of bagging them and throwing
them away and write or call to get off junk lists
(Environmental, 2009). Next is Reuse, use an item over and oven until it is completely worn out
and share or borrow items you do not use often (Environmental, 2009). Before disposing of
unwanted items such as clothes, furniture, or appliances check with a local Goodwill Store, thrift
stores or charities to see if you can donate them (Litter, 2006). Have yard sales, repair items
(instead of buying new), reuse lunch bags, bottles and grocery store bags (Environmental, 2009).
The last R is Recycle. Most homes have recycling pick-up weekly and requesting recycling bins
is easy. If you do not have recycling pick-up, there are numerous
locations where you can drop off recycling. When shopping, look
for goods that are made from recycled products and check if they
are recyclable themselves (Environmental, 2009). If you have a
recyclable product to through away but no recycling bin, keep the
item until you get home and dispose of it responsibly
(Environmental, 2009). Twenty years ago only about 1,000
recycling programs existed in the US, today that number has
reached over 10,000 (Florida, 2008). Recycling is easy and highly
beneficial; everyone should do their part and participate!
Products that can be recycled include (Environmental, 2009):
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Pasteboard (i.e., cereal boxes, empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls,
soda boxes, beer boxes, tissue boxes, gift boxes, pizza boxes and shoe
boxes)
Brown paper grocery bags (no wax, no wet strength material, no liners)
Corrugated cardboard (flattened and cut down to no larger than 3’x 3’)
Newspaper, supplements, magazines and catalogs
Plastic #1-7 (#'s on bottom of containers) Remove all lids
Glass bottles and jars (clear, green and brown) Remove all lids
Aluminum cans
Steel cans and tin household containers, such as food cans
Telephone Books
Christmas Trees (only during end of year)
Products that cannot be recycled include (Environmental,
2009):
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Plastic bags
Motor oil or pesticide containers
Light bulbs or drink ware
Aluminum foil or pie plates
Paint or pesticide cans
Electronic devices
Egg cartons and Styrofoam trays
By: Rhiannon Donnell
References
Cigarette Litter. (2006). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from CigaretteLitter.Org Web Site:
http://www.cigarettelitter.org/
City of Orlando Public Works Department. (2009). Keep Orlando Beautiful. Retrieved March
10, 2009, from City of Orlando Web site:
http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/kob/
Environmental Services. (2009). Solid Waste Management. Retrieved March 10, 2009, from
Seminole County: Florida’s Natural Choice Web site:
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/envsrvs/solidwaste/litter.asp
Florida. (2008). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from National Recycling Coalition Web site:
http://www.nrc-recycle.org/florida.aspx
Florida Litter Information. (2008). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Hinkley Center for Solid
and Hazardous Waste Management Web site: http://www.litterinfo.org/
Litter Tips. (2006). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Okeechobee County Solid Waste Web site:
http://www.co.okeechobee.fl.us/Solid%20Waste%20Website/LitterTips.html
State University System of Florida. (1999). The Florida Litter Study: Economic Impacts of Litter
on Florida’s Businesses. Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Florida Center for Solid and
Hazardous Waste Management Web site:
http://www.hinkleycenter.org/publications/99_florida_litter_study.pdf