Tackling the Litter Problem

What is litter? Litter is solid waste that is out of place. It's the kind of trash found on highways, lakefronts, parks and school grounds. Litter takes many forms: paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, glass, food packaging, tires and graffiti.

Where does litter come from? There are at least seven sources of litter:  pedestrians, motorists, overflowing household garbage, overflowing commercial containers, loading docks, construction sites and uncovered trucks. Litter is often blown by the wind until it is trapped somewhere or goes down a storm drain.

Why do people litter? People tend to litter when they think someone else will clean up, when an area is already littered, and when they do not feel a sense of ownership or community pride.

Why is litter a problem? Even small amounts of litter are unsightly, unhealthy and dangerous. Litter causes blighted landscapes resulting in an increase in taxes and a decrease in tourism and industry; loss of civic pride and morale; and a negative public image. Litter can also cause accidents, especially on roadways, fires and disease in people and animals. 

NJ Clean Communities Overview

New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The mission is to reduce litter in public places, promote the volunteer cleanup of public lands and sustain a reduction in litter through education. The Act provides a funding source for the program by placing a tax on fifteen categories of businesses that may produce litter-generating products. The program focuses on three areas:  cleanup, education and enforcement. 

 

How can I help?

Contact your local municipality and volunteer for a local clean up event.

Volunteer with the Middlesex County Conservation Corps.

Use more reusable products and less single use items.  Skip the Straw! Creating less trash will lead to less litter.

Be mindful when carrying trash or loose items on top of your vehicle or in the bed of your truck.  When loads are not properly secured, they can become a hazard – to both clean roads and other drivers!

Prevent unintentional litter by keeping your garbage and recycling cans covered.

Cigarette Butts are the #1 most littered item on roadways and beaches.  Please dispose of them properly.

Embrace the habit of picking up just one piece of litter a day – small, yet impactful gestures like this make a big difference.

To learn more about litter and plastics reduction, visit these websites:

NJ Clean Communities: https://njclean.org/ and https://litterfreenj.com/

NJDEP: https://dep.nj.gov/get-past-plastic/

Keep America Beautiful: https://kab.org/

NOAA Marine Debris Program: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/

Download the Recycle Coach app: https://recyclecoach.com/