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10 Things That Are Not Good About Littering

With the proliferation of packaging in the modern consumer age, coupled with the need to keep food fresh as it travels between and across countries and continents, litter is a constant problem. It is not solely a modern problem, though, as cigarette butts, food wrapping and glass bottles have been finding their way onto sidewalks and roadsides for many, many years.

  1. Littering is Anti-Social

    • Littering shows a disregard for the community where you live and for those you share it with.

    Littering Affects Water Quality

    • The Environmental Protection Agency states that littering affects water quality. The chemicals contained in certain types of litter can enter into the water system, contaminating it. Also, litter can cause the blocking of storm drains, not only affecting water quality but also affecting plants and animals that live along the waterways.

    Cleaning Up Litter is Expensive

    • The money spent on cleaning up litter could be better put to use repairing infrastructure and improving emergency services.

    Litter Affects the Economy

    • Keep America Beautiful, which engages people to take responsibility for improving their community environments, states that houses in littered neighborhoods do not get the best prices, and that towns with a lot of litter are unlikely to attract tourists and investment.

    Littering Spreads Germs

    • Litter attracts rats and other scavengers that bring with them a whole host of health problems.

    Littering Harms Plants

    • Dumped garbage can kill or stunt plant growth and generally degrades natural beauty.

    Littering Causes Accidents

    • Broken glass and discarded syringes, if stepped on, can cause injury and infection.

    Littering Harms Animals

    • Animals can become ill from consuming decaying litter, including plastic bags.

    Most Litter Could Have Been Recycled

    • Many items that end up as litter -- plastic bottles and bags, aluminium cans, paper wrapping and glass bottles -- can be recycled and many can then be reused at a later date.

    Littering is an Offense

    • Littering in the U.S. is generally punished with a fine. The amount varies from state to state, but in California, for example, a first-time litterer will be fined at least $100 dollars and be required to perform eight hours of roadside litter pick up.

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