Preventing litter in your community means educating yourself, local leaders and the public about the litter issue. Did you know?

For the past eight years the incidence of littering appears to be increasing and is becoming a growing statewide concern due to its impact upon public health, safety, and community well being.

Litter is defined as misplaced solid waste.

Research has shown the most frequent litterer is a male between the ages of 18 and 30.

Litter is detrimental to community efforts to attract visitors and prospective new businesses to their community.

Litter is a precursor to graffiti and other community blights which are linked to gang activity, crime, and overall neighborhood decline.

In 2003, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reported there were 15 fatal crashes resulting from drivers “hitting other objects on the roadway” resulting in the loss of 20 lives to roadway debris in Georgia.

According to Keep America Beautiful (KAB) there are 7 sources of litter

  • Motorists (including boaters) Pedestrians
  • Improperly containerized commercial refuse
  • Improperly containerized household refuse
  • Loading/unloading docks and areas
  • Uncovered vehicles
  • Construction and demolition sites

Changing littering behavior means changing people’s attitudes about litter. This year, the Litter Abatement and Prevention Task Force commissioned a study to survey Georgian’s about litter. View the complete findings of the 2006 Litter Attitudes Survey.