Littering involves the improper disposal of waste, where items are discarded in unsuitable locations instead of designated bins. This widespread practice creates substantial and far-reaching consequences for the environment, impacting ecosystems and living organisms.
Harm to Wildlife
Litter poses a direct threat to animals across terrestrial, aquatic, and avian environments. Animals can become entangled in discarded items like plastic bags, fishing lines, and six-pack rings, leading to severe injuries, suffocation, or drowning. An estimated one million animals die annually from ingesting or becoming entrapped in improperly discarded trash.
Beyond entanglement, ingesting litter, such as plastic fragments or cigarette butts, causes internal injuries, blockages, and false feelings of fullness. This leads to starvation as indigestible materials fill stomachs, preventing nutrient absorption. Toxins from ingested litter can also poison wildlife, disrupting behaviors and potentially leading to population declines.
Water Contamination
Litter significantly impacts freshwater sources and marine environments. Discarded items, particularly plastics, can leach harmful chemicals into the water, altering its composition and making it unsafe for aquatic life. Cigarette butts, for example, release toxic substances like nicotine, arsenic, and heavy metals into water bodies.
Large amounts of litter can also reduce oxygen levels in water bodies as organic waste decomposes or by blocking sunlight, creating “dead zones” where aquatic life struggles. Litter obstructs aquatic movement and damages sensitive habitats, including coral reefs, through smothering or physical breakage. This can disrupt entire aquatic ecosystems.
Land and Soil Degradation
Litter also affects terrestrial environments and soil health. When litter accumulates, it can smother vegetation, blocking sunlight and hindering plant growth. Chemical leaching from discarded items, such as heavy metals, can significantly alter soil pH and composition, making it infertile or toxic for plants and essential microorganisms.
Physical barriers created by litter can impede natural drainage, leading to localized flooding and increased erosion. Improperly discarded waste provides ideal breeding grounds for pests, including rodents and insects. These pests can then spread diseases, posing risks to both ecosystems and human communities.
Microplastic Formation
A distinct consequence of littering is microplastic formation. Larger plastic litter does not fully biodegrade; instead, it breaks down into tiny fragments, typically smaller than 5 millimeters, due to exposure to sunlight, weather, and abrasion. This process creates secondary microplastics, which are ubiquitous in the environment.
These microscopic particles are found in nearly every environment, including oceans, soil, air, and within the food chain. Microplastics are easily ingested by organisms, from plankton to larger animals and humans. Once ingested, they can cause physical harm, such as internal injuries or blockages, and can carry or absorb toxins. This leads to concerns about long-term health and ecological impacts, including oxidative stress and metabolic disorders.