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Where does litter come
from?
Keep America Beautiful has also identified the primary sources of
litter. If we change our behavior in these seven areas, the litter
problem will be solved.
1. Motorists
 Always use a vehicle litter bag or otherwise secure items
inside a vehicle. It is against the law to throw trash from a vehicle. This
includes cigarette butts. Most of the trash in our creeks, lakes and
rivers does NOT come from boaters. "Floatable" trash on streets often ends up in our
creeks and rivers. If litter lands on a surface where rainwater flows there is a very good chance it will travel to a creek or
the river through the storm water system.
2. Uncovered vehicles
 It is against the law to allow items to fall or blow from a
truck. Litter control workers believe that items falling or blowing from uncovered
trucks is the single largest source of roadside litter in number of items and
volume. This includes suburbanites who carry their trash to convenience centers,
construction workers going to and from their job sites, commercial waste haulers who carry
loose trash and pickup truck owners who casually toss their "stuff" in the bed of
their trucks. If your neighborhood waste hauler must use small open
trucks to collect trash, bag your trash to help prevent it from
blowing around. Not only is litter from unsecured loads an eyesore,
it is also a road hazard. Each year thousands of accidents are
caused by vehicles striking or trying to avoid road debris that has fallen
from trucks. These accidents cause substantial property damage,
injuries and even death. This is why we have "tarp" laws.
3. Overflowing commercial
dumpsters
 Overfilled
and uncovered commercial dumpsters are a major source of
litter. Dumpster areas should be kept clean and containers must be protected from illegal use.
Full dumpsters should be emptied promptly. If necessary, arrange
with your waste hauler to lock the container. If your
dumpster is being used illegally, contact litter control
officers to investigate. Litter near an overflowing dumpster is scattered
by weather and animals. A dumpster like the one
pictured on the right can trash an entire neighborhood.
4. Loading Docks
 Loading docks are another major source of
litter. If you have a loading dock, require your workers and
delivery people to use waste cans and dumpsters for trash. Shrink wrap, corrugated
boxes, shipping documents, drink containers, fast food packaging and tobacco products
are typical loading dock trash items. Although your customers don't
see your loading dock, trash sends a negative message to your employees and suppliers.
5. Pedestrians
Pedestrians
are a major source of litter. When you are out and must dispose of an item, always carry the item to a trash can
or if necessary, carry
it home to dispose of with your household trash. Never place trash on the ground
next to a full container or on other objects such as newspaper stands, phone booths,
etc. Better yet, pick up some trash each time you are
out. Littering in parks wastes tax dollars. Littering at events raises ticket prices. Littering at festivals
sends visitors and tourists a negative message.
6. Improperly Stored
Household Trash
Another major source of litter is unsecured
household trash. Always make sure your trash is in a tightly sealed container so it
cannot be scattered by weather or animals. If your commercial waste hauler collects
trash in open trucks, always bag your trash. In fact, your contract with your waste
hauler may require you to bag your trash. Talk to your waste hauler about who is responsible
for spilled trash.
7. Construction &
Demolition Sites
Construction and demolition sites are the other major source
of litter. Construction material waste, worker trash, items falling from delivery
and waste hauling vehicles, cement truck waste and excavation waste often have a major
negative impact on the properties surrounding the job. Contact
Keep Knoxville Beautiful for information on clean builder
checklists. Construction sites are not
exempt from dirty lot and trash container laws. Clean, orderly worksites are safer
than trashy, disorderly worksites.
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