Ways to Stop Littering

As public attention to the state of our environment remains front and center--and will likely stay that way for the next few decades--stopping littering should be a new priority among law makers in local communities and on up the political ladder. In 2009, a survey revealed that 75 percent of Americans admitted to littering in the last five years. While laws with fines already prohibit littering, more can be done to deter people from throwing any piece of trash--this includes cigarette butts--on the ground.

1. Bigger Penalties

   • While there are already fines associated with littering, the fines could be steeper, hitting offenders directly where it hurts them the most. Perhaps $5 - $10 per ounce of garbage littered, on top of the offense of littering itself, which will carry a hefty fine. A class could be required for littering offenders--just as defensive driving can be required after moving violations--forcing people to learn what littering does, how often people litter and why. Fines could double for people who don't take this class.

   More Trash Cans

   • While there are a good number of trash cans in major cities, there should be twice as many, targeted in locations where trash cans are needed, like outside restaurants and stores where people gather and collect little pieces of trash. Perhaps the nearby businesses could pay a nominal fee for their regular upkeep and emptying. Trash cans should be big and covered but easy to deposit things inside, so that they don't smell, but aren't overflowing with garbage.

   Smoking Bans

   • Smoking bans help to curb littering in certain areas, as people won't smoke cigarettes there and carelessly leave their butts on the ground. Cigarette butts take 12 years to fully biodegrade, which means they pile up significantly if left in one particular area, poisoning the ground and the area around it. Smokers also often create more garbage when it comes to the cigarette pack itself--empty cardboard or paper packs, cellophane on the packs--so keeping them and their practices out of the area will help to reduce littering in general.