Can recycling stop littering?

Question

Can recycling items stop littering? what are your detailed opinions on this topic? thanx everyone! have agreat day!

Answer 1

Hello,

This is a great question that many counties and cities often ask themselves.  Littering is a behavioral response to not having containers accessible for use at the moment.

There has been evidence that littering is reduced if there are proper containers available for getting rid of waste (in general).  Most people, if given an option, will recycle when recycling containers exist.  So it would stand to reason that if more recycling containers were co-located with trash containers, you would see an increase in trash and recycling generation and hopefully a reduction in litter.

However, as another member stated, littering is a behavior.  There will always be those people who will litter.  Many of the anti-littering campaigns are looking at increased enforcement as a means to curtail littering (litter and get a hefty $500 or more, fine).  Others have tried innovative marketing campaigns like the "Don't Mess With Texas" campaign that features stars from the state talking about not littering.

Hope this helps,

Adam

Answer 2

No. Littering is caused by laziness. It has nothing whatever to do with the  value of what is thrown away.

Answer 3

Not sure exactly how this fits in, but in my state we have deposits on pop and beer bottles.  They are returned to the store to collect the deposit, and then recycled.  This has DRAMATICALLY reduced the amount of litter, simply because most people don't throw them away and if they do, someone else will pick them up for deposit money.

This was done (I believe) specifically to reduce the litter problem, before the major recycling movement was really underway.  Anything that has value, such as scrap metal, will be collected by someone, so I think recycling programs do have a positive effect on litter.

Answer 4

It does not stop the habit most people have of littering, but it reduces some kinds of litter, because larger communities have scavengers who prowl around and pick the stuff up. I get lots of fast food containers thrown around my city property, but I rarely see cans or bottles.