Litter Awareness Month in Prince William County   

 

A little litter leads to a load of problems for everyone….

Litter affects the environment (land and waterways), community safety, individual health, quality of life and economic development,

Nationally, Keep America Beautiful (KAB), a non-profit that works to end litter and its effects commissioned its third National Litter Study in 2020.  The latest study took place in the spring and fall of 2020 and there were loads of interesting findings. waterways.  

#152andYou

The KAB Study estimates nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways at the time of the Study.1   More than 2,000 pieces of litter per mile for both roadways and  waterways. This equates to 152 pieces of litter for every U.S. resident. Nine out of ten pieces of litter on the ground in the U.S. were under four inches in size. Think toilet paper square. Although less visible, small litter items remain the dominant type of litter in the United States. 

   

Snack Attacks

Cigarette butts, plastic film, and food packing film (candy wrappers and snack bags) were the top three most littered items.  An estimated 5.7 billion cigarette butts, 2.6 billion food-packaging film items, and 324.8 million littered plastic bags, such as retail store bags, were found along United States roadways and waterways, according to KAB 2020 National Litter Study. Of note, over 800 million pieces of fast-food packaging (estimated 394.7 million fast-food cups and 423 million other fast-food packaging) were littered on United States roadways and waterways.

Litter Happens

The National Litter Study revealed that people saw people litter in three major instances: When there were no trash cans nearby; when the item was a cigarette butt; and when the area was already littered. Anecdotally, from several Prince William sources, litter also happens inadvertently when drivers do not cover their loads/truck beds.

 

Litter Prevention Tips for Prince William County Residents and Businesses

Everyone can play a part in litter prevention.   A few simple habits can make a world of difference.

Residents

Cover and secure your load, on every trip. In addition to being unsightly, flying litter can be a distraction and hazard. Sec 22-145 – Cover your load

Keep a litter bag in your car. A trash bag is a handy place to keep waste in your car until you can toss it into a garbage can or recycling bin! A litter bag helps keep your vehicle tidy and reduces the chances of littering accidentally when you open a door or window.

Hold on to trash from your travels, on foot or on wheels, until an appropriate waste receptacle is available at home, or a stop along the way.

Make sure household trash bags set out for collection are tied and placed in a container with a lid. This keeps it from attracting birds and animals and becoming litter. Sec 22-20 – Containers

Replace single-use items with reusable, refillable options.  Think- refillable water bottles and reusable shopping bags, so you have less waste.

Businesses and Employees

Always keep dumpster lids closed and containers in good repair.  Sec 22-20 – Containers

Shopping centers and retailers provide adequate trash and recycling receptacles for patrons and empty them before they overflow or become food for birds and rodents.  Sec 22- 154 – Establishments must provide adequate litter receptacles

 

Litter Clean-up Opportunities Help Stop the Cycle

According to the KPWB 2020 Litter study, individuals are more likely to litter in a space that is already littered. Several studies show littering is strongly linked to higher rates of crime and antisocial behaviors, which signals a lack of community care.  

Individuals, organizations, groups, and businesses in Prince William have opportunities to make an impact on litter and its unwanted by products by cleaning up community spaces.  

Dumpsters Days hosted by Prince William County Solid Waste Division and Prince William Board of County Supervisors is an opportunity for residents to organize a community cleanup of the common areas as well as dispose of household trash and large items from their home and property.    Look for the Dumpster Day event in your jurisdiction, or use the one that is most convenient for you and your family.

Keep Prince William Beautiful, a local affiliate of KAB is a great resource for litter clean ups. Organize community cleanups or volunteer for one with Keep Prince William Beautiful, Adopt-a-Spot; VDOT, Adopt-a-Highway; Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, Adopt-a-Stream; or go solo – “plogging” picking up litter as you go along.

 

Litter prevention -- It’s Code for a Clean Community

The Solid Waste Refuse Code Chapter 22 is a good resource for residents and businesses regarding litter prevention.

ARTICLE VI. - LITTERING ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY          

• Sec 22-145 – Cover your load
• Sec 22- 146 – No Dumping
• Sec 22-147 – Business, Industry or Institution Litter Free Spaces
• Sec. 22-150. - Keeping sidewalks clean.
• Sec 22-151 – Don’t Litter
• Sec 22- 153– Use litter receptacles for litter
• Sec 22- 154 – Establishments must provide adequate receptacles
• Sec 22- 155 – Fines $25 to $50

If you need more motivation to help eliminate litter in Prince William County, check out “Trashy the Raccoon” and his ratchet behavior at #LitterFreePWC.