Littering is the improper disposal of waste in public or natural spaces like streets, parks, or waterways. This issue has widespread consequences, affecting natural environments, economic stability, and human well-being.
Environmental Damage
Litter harms the natural world, impacting wildlife and ecosystems. Animals often mistake discarded items like plastic and cigarette butts for food, leading to internal injuries, digestive blockages, or starvation. Wildlife also faces dangers from entanglement in items such as plastic bags, discarded fishing lines, or six-pack rings, resulting in injury, strangulation, or drowning.
Beyond direct harm to animals, litter pollutes soil and water sources. Toxic chemicals can leach from waste, contaminating habitats and harming plant life. Many common litter items decompose slowly; for example, plastic bags can take between 10 and 1,000 years, plastic bottles around 450 years, and glass bottles may never fully break down. This persistence ensures long-term contamination and degrades natural landscapes, parks, and waterways, making them less enjoyable and impacting local biodiversity.
Financial Burdens
Littering imposes substantial economic costs on communities and taxpayers. Local governments and taxpayers bear significant expenses for litter collection, street sweeping, and waste disposal, with cleanup efforts costing the United States over $11.5 billion annually. Businesses alone account for approximately $9.1 billion of these cleanup costs each year. These efforts also divert valuable resources, including manpower and equipment, that could otherwise be allocated to other public services. For instance, North Carolina spent at least $56.3 million in 2023 to clean up 14.6 million pounds of trash.
Littered areas deter tourists and negatively affect local businesses, leading to reduced revenue and slower economic growth. A study indicated that 85% of beach tourists would avoid a heavily littered beach, preferring to travel to cleaner destinations. This can result in significant financial losses for regions reliant on tourism. Litter also decreases the value of residential and commercial properties. About 93% of homeowners report that a littered neighborhood would lower their assessment of a home’s value, and real estate agents suggest litter can reduce property values by approximately 9%.
Impacts on People and Communities
Litter poses direct risks to public health and safety. Broken glass, sharp objects, or improperly discarded needles can cause injuries, leading to cuts, punctures, and potential infections. Accumulated trash also attracts pests such as rodents and insects, which can spread diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella, and West Nile virus. Discarded items that collect stagnant water, such as old tires or containers, create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, further increasing the risk of vector-borne illnesses.
Beyond physical hazards, litter degrades the appearance of neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces, diminishing a community’s sense of pride and well-being. Living in untidy environments can evoke feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression, contributing to a lower overall quality of life. Visible litter can also signal neglect and disorder, leading to increased instances of vandalism and other petty crimes. People are often more likely to litter in areas where trash is already present, perpetuating a cycle of decline. Litter also makes public parks, beaches, and other recreational areas less enjoyable and safe for community members, limiting opportunities for outdoor activities and social interaction.