Litter
Encyclopedia
Litter consists of waste products such as containers, papers, wrappers or faeces which have been disposed of without consent. Litter can also be used as a verb. To litter means to throw (often man-made) objects onto the ground and leave them unremoved, as opposed to disposing of them properly.
It is a human impact on the environment and is a serious environmental issue
in many countries. Litter can exist in the environment for long periods of time before degrading and be transported large distances into the world's oceans. Litter can affect quality of life
.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, with 4.5 trillion
discarded annually. The cellulose acetate
butts are not biodegradable and, as a result, their chemical decomposition
can take many decades.
was not a priority on governments' lists of things to do. Waste was disposed of by the roadside or in small local dumps. It was unsanitary for local inhabitants and the growing piles of waste led to the spread of disease. The only known pre-modern exception, however, was the Arab Empire
, especially in Cordoba
, Al-Andalus
, which had facilities for litter collection.
In the 14th century, the rise of waste in Europe helped contribute to the bubonic plague
. Black rat
s, carrying the fleas which were the vectors for the plague, fed off the food scraps.
Many plagues were started from litter.
Government neglect, the inability of governments to remove litter in a timely manner, is also a reason why humans are tempted to litter.
According to a study by the Dutch organisation VROM, 80% of the people claim that "everybody leaves of a piece of paper, tin or something, on the street behind". Young people from 12 to 24 years cause more litter than the average (Dutch or Belgian) person. 18% of people who regularly cause litter were 50 years of age or older. Nevertheless, automobile drivers
and recreationalists, smokers and the youth are specific target groups within many campaigns conducted to keep countries free of litter.
, with some items made of condensed glass, styrofoam
or plastic possibly remaining in the environment for over a million years.
About 18% of litter, usually traveling through stormwater
systems, ends up in local streams, rivers, and waterways. Uncollected litter can accrete and flow into streams
, local bays and estuaries. Litter in the ocean either washes up on beaches or collects in Ocean gyres such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
. About 80% of marine debris
comes from land-based sources.
Some litter that is collected can be recycled
, however degraded litter cannot be recycled and eventually degrades to sludge
, often toxic. The majority of litter that is collected goes to landfill
.
is a major effect of litter.
It can be a breeding ground for disease-causing insects and rodents. Open containers such as paper cups or beverage cans can hold rainwater, providing breeding locations for mosquito
es which have been known to spread diseases such as West Nile Virus
and Malaria
.
Litter can be hazardous. Debris falling from vehicles is an increasing cause of automobile accidents. Over 800 Americans are killed each year in debris/litter-attributed motor vehicle collisions. Discarded dangerous goods
, sharps waste
and pathogen
s resulting from litter can cause accidental harm to humans.
Litter also carries substantial cost to the economy. Cleaning up litter in the U.S. costs hundreds of dollars per ton, about ten times more than the cost of trash disposal, for a cost totaling about $11 billion per year.
and have been found in the stomachs of fish
, birds and whales, who have mistaken them for food.
and lead to algal bloom
s.
in many countries around the world. While countries in the third world
lack the resources to deal with the issue, consumer based economies in the western world
are capable of generating larger quantities of litter per capita due to a higher consumption of disposable products and Consumables.
Public waste containers or street bins are provided by local authorities to provide a convenient place for the disposal and collection of litter. Increasingly both general waste and recycling options are provided. Local councils pick the waste up and take it to refuse or recycling. However there are issues with this approaches. If the bins are not regularly emptied, then overfilling of bins and can increase litter indirectly. Some local authorities will only take responsibility for rubbish that is placed in the bins, which means that litter remains a problem. People may blame a lack of well placed bins for their littering. Hazardous materials may be incorrectly disposed of in the bins and they can encourage dumpster diving
.
is used (see Cache In Trash Out
)
Picking up litter can be hazardous. Hazards can include exposure to dangerous goods
, sharps waste
and pathogen
s. As a result, safety equipment is sometimes worn and tools such as litter grabbers (extendable arms) are used.
can be aimed at both reduce littering and also encouraging picking up through local recycling programs that offer incentives, particularly for aluminium cans
, glass bottles
and plastic bottles
.
Litter traps can be used to capture litter as it exits stormwater drains into waterways. However they are only effective for large or floating items of litter.
Actions resulting in fines can include on-the-spot fines for individuals administered by authorised officers in public or on public transport or littering from a vehicle, in which the vehicle owner is fined - reported by either responsible officer or third party, sometimes online.
Specific legislation exists in the following countries:
A number of organisations exist with the aim of raising awareness and run campaigns including clean up events. Clean Up the World
is a worldwide campaign.
In the United States there are a number of organisations running anti-litter campaigns. Keep America Beautiful
was founded in 1953. High profile local campaigns include Don't Mess with Texas
started in 1986.
In Australia, Clean Up Australia
Day is supported by many major Australian companies, firms and volunteers alike. Anti-litter organisations include Keep Australia Beautiful
founded in 1963 that created the popular “Do the Right Thing” campaign and its Tidy Towns competition became well known being a very competitive expression of civic pride.
Keep Britain Tidy
is a British campaign run by the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, which is part funded by the U.K. government.
It is a human impact on the environment and is a serious environmental issue
Environmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
in many countries. Litter can exist in the environment for long periods of time before degrading and be transported large distances into the world's oceans. Litter can affect quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, with 4.5 trillion
Trillion
-Numbers:Either of the two numbers :* 1,000,000,000,000 for all short scale countries...
discarded annually. The cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate , first prepared in 1865, is the acetate ester of cellulose. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, as a component in some adhesives, and as a frame material for eyeglasses; it is also used as a synthetic fiber and in the manufacture of cigarette filters and...
butts are not biodegradable and, as a result, their chemical decomposition
Chemical decomposition
Chemical decomposition, analysis or breakdown is the separation of a chemical compound into elements or simpler compounds. It is sometimes defined as the exact opposite of a chemical synthesis. Chemical decomposition is often an undesired chemical reaction...
can take many decades.
History
Throughout human history, people have disposed of unwanted materials onto streets, countrysides and remote places, unpunished. Prior to reforms within cities in the mid-to-late 19th century, sanitationSanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
was not a priority on governments' lists of things to do. Waste was disposed of by the roadside or in small local dumps. It was unsanitary for local inhabitants and the growing piles of waste led to the spread of disease. The only known pre-modern exception, however, was the Arab Empire
Caliphate of Córdoba
The Caliphate of Córdoba ruled the Iberian peninsula and part of North Africa, from the city of Córdoba, from 929 to 1031. This period was characterized by remarkable success in trade and culture; many of the masterpieces of Islamic Iberia were constructed in this period, including the famous...
, especially in Cordoba
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
, which had facilities for litter collection.
In the 14th century, the rise of waste in Europe helped contribute to the bubonic plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
. Black rat
Black Rat
The black rat is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus in the subfamily Murinae . The species originated in tropical Asia and spread through the Near East in Roman times before reaching Europe by the 1st century and spreading with Europeans across the world.-Taxonomy:The black rat was...
s, carrying the fleas which were the vectors for the plague, fed off the food scraps.
Many plagues were started from litter.
Causes
In addition to intentional littering, almost half of litter on U.S. roadways is now a result of accidental or unintentional litter, usually debris that falls off of improperly secured trash and recycling collection vehicles and pickup trucks. Population levels, traffic density and proximity to waste disposal sites are factors known to correlate with higher litter rates.Government neglect, the inability of governments to remove litter in a timely manner, is also a reason why humans are tempted to litter.
According to a study by the Dutch organisation VROM, 80% of the people claim that "everybody leaves of a piece of paper, tin or something, on the street behind". Young people from 12 to 24 years cause more litter than the average (Dutch or Belgian) person. 18% of people who regularly cause litter were 50 years of age or older. Nevertheless, automobile drivers
Driving
Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.Although direct operation of a bicycle and a mounted animal are commonly referred to as riding, such operators are legally considered drivers and are required to obey the rules of the road...
and recreationalists, smokers and the youth are specific target groups within many campaigns conducted to keep countries free of litter.
Life Cycle
Litter can remain either visible or for extended periods of time before it eventually biodegradesBiodegradation
Biodegradation or biotic degradation or biotic decomposition is the chemical dissolution of materials by bacteria or other biological means...
, with some items made of condensed glass, styrofoam
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene...
or plastic possibly remaining in the environment for over a million years.
About 18% of litter, usually traveling through stormwater
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt that enters the stormwater system...
systems, ends up in local streams, rivers, and waterways. Uncollected litter can accrete and flow into streams
STREAMS
In computer networking, STREAMS is the native framework in Unix System V for implementing character devices.STREAMS was designed as a modular architecture for implementing full-duplex I/O between kernel or user space processes and device drivers. Its most frequent uses have been in developing...
, local bays and estuaries. Litter in the ocean either washes up on beaches or collects in Ocean gyres such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also described as the Pacific Trash Vortex, is a gyre of marine litter in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135°W to 155°W and 35°N to 42°N...
. About 80% of marine debris
Marine debris
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally become afloat in a lake, sea, ocean or waterway. Oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the centre of gyres and on coastlines, frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or...
comes from land-based sources.
Some litter that is collected can be recycled
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
, however degraded litter cannot be recycled and eventually degrades to sludge
Sludge
Sludge refers to the residual, semi-solid material left from industrial wastewater, or sewage treatment processes. It can also refer to the settled suspension obtained from conventional drinking water treatment, and numerous other industrial processes...
, often toxic. The majority of litter that is collected goes to landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
.
Effects on Humans
Visual pollutionVisual pollution
Visual pollution is the term given to unattractive and man-made visual elements of a vista, a landscape, or any other thing that a person does not feel comfortable to look at. Visual pollution is an aesthetic issue, referring to the impacts of pollution that impair one's ability to enjoy a vista or...
is a major effect of litter.
It can be a breeding ground for disease-causing insects and rodents. Open containers such as paper cups or beverage cans can hold rainwater, providing breeding locations for mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
es which have been known to spread diseases such as West Nile Virus
West Nile virus
West Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic...
and Malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
.
Litter can be hazardous. Debris falling from vehicles is an increasing cause of automobile accidents. Over 800 Americans are killed each year in debris/litter-attributed motor vehicle collisions. Discarded dangerous goods
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
, sharps waste
Sharps waste
Sharps waste is a form of medical waste composed of used sharps, which includes any device or object used to puncture or lacerate the skin. Sharps waste is classified as biohazardous waste and must be carefully handled...
and pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
s resulting from litter can cause accidental harm to humans.
Litter also carries substantial cost to the economy. Cleaning up litter in the U.S. costs hundreds of dollars per ton, about ten times more than the cost of trash disposal, for a cost totaling about $11 billion per year.
Effects on Wildlife
Animals may get trapped or poisoned with litter in their habitats. Cigarette butts and filters are a threat to wildlifeWildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
and have been found in the stomachs of fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, birds and whales, who have mistaken them for food.
Other effects
Organic litter in large amounts can cause water pollutionWater pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
and lead to algal bloom
Algal bloom
An algal bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration...
s.
Extent
Litter is an environmental issueEnvironmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
in many countries around the world. While countries in the third world
Third World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
lack the resources to deal with the issue, consumer based economies in the western world
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
are capable of generating larger quantities of litter per capita due to a higher consumption of disposable products and Consumables.
Litter Bins
Dumpster diving
Dumpster diving is the practice of sifting through commercial or residential trash to find items that have been discarded by their owners, but that may be useful to the dumpster diver.-Etymology and alternate names:...
.
Picking Up
Volunteers, sometimes alone or coordinated through organisations will pick up litter and dispose of it. Clean up events are sometimes organised where participants will sometimes comb an area in a line to ensure that no litter is missed. Increasingly geocachingGeocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
is used (see Cache In Trash Out
Cache In Trash Out
Cache In Trash Out is an ongoing environmental initiative created by Groundspeak Inc. related to Geocaching which encourages Geocachers to clean up areas parks and other areas...
)
Picking up litter can be hazardous. Hazards can include exposure to dangerous goods
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
, sharps waste
Sharps waste
Sharps waste is a form of medical waste composed of used sharps, which includes any device or object used to puncture or lacerate the skin. Sharps waste is classified as biohazardous waste and must be carefully handled...
and pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
s. As a result, safety equipment is sometimes worn and tools such as litter grabbers (extendable arms) are used.
Container Deposit Schemes
Container deposit legislationContainer deposit legislation
Container-deposit legislation is any law that requires collection of a monetary deposit on soft-drink, juice, milk, water, alcoholic-beverage, and/or other containers at the point of sale...
can be aimed at both reduce littering and also encouraging picking up through local recycling programs that offer incentives, particularly for aluminium cans
Aluminium recycling
Aluminium recycling is the process by which scrap aluminium can be reused in products after its initial production. The process involves simply re-melting the metal, which is far less expensive and energy intensive than creating new aluminium through the electrolysis of aluminium oxide , which must...
, glass bottles
Glass recycling
Glass recycling is the process of turning waste glass into usable products. Glass waste should be separated by chemical composition, and then, depending on the end use and local processing capabilities, might also have to be separated into different colors. Many recyclers collect different colors...
and plastic bottles
Plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original state. For instance, this could mean melting down soft drink bottles and then casting them as plastic chairs and tables...
.
Litter Traps
Legislation and Fines
Some countries and local authorities have introduced legislation to address the problem.Actions resulting in fines can include on-the-spot fines for individuals administered by authorised officers in public or on public transport or littering from a vehicle, in which the vehicle owner is fined - reported by either responsible officer or third party, sometimes online.
Specific legislation exists in the following countries:
- United States - punishable with a fine as set out by statutes in many places.
- United Kingdom - fines for persistent littering. Different local authorities also have the powers to impose on the spot fines to those caught littering.
- Australia - no national legislation, although state based environmental protection authorities have laws and fines to discourage littering
- The Netherlands - Dutch police and local supervisors (known as buitengewoon opsporingsambtenaar, or BOA) fine citizens for throwing away cans, bottles or wrappers onto the street.
Anti-Litter Campaigns
Clean Up the World
Clean Up the World is a community-based, environmental campaign that inspires and empowers communities around the globe to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment....
is a worldwide campaign.
In the United States there are a number of organisations running anti-litter campaigns. Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a U.S. based nonprofit organization founded in 1953. It is the largest community improvement organization in the United States, with approximately 589 affiliate organizations and more than 1,000 community organizations that participate in their programs.Keep America...
was founded in 1953. High profile local campaigns include Don't Mess with Texas
Don't Mess with Texas
The phrase Don’t Mess with Texas is a trademark of the Texas Department of Transportation, which began as part of a statewide advertising campaign started in 1986...
started in 1986.
In Australia, Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia is a not-for-profit Australian environmental conservation organisation founded by Australian Ian Kiernan, and co-founder Kim McKay, in 1989. It works to foster relationships between the community, business and government to address the environmental issues of waste, water and...
Day is supported by many major Australian companies, firms and volunteers alike. Anti-litter organisations include Keep Australia Beautiful
Keep Australia Beautiful
Keep Australia Beautiful is a not-for-profit Australian environmental conservation organisation. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council is the federation of independent organisations formed in each of Australian states and territories - the first of which, Keep Australia Beautiful was formed in...
founded in 1963 that created the popular “Do the Right Thing” campaign and its Tidy Towns competition became well known being a very competitive expression of civic pride.
Keep Britain Tidy
Keep Britain Tidy
Keep Britain Tidy is a British campaign run by the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, which is part funded by the UK government. The majority of their campaigning is around the issue of litter. They have been using "Keep Britain Tidy" as their slogan for almost fifty years...
is a British campaign run by the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, which is part funded by the U.K. government.