Dena McMartin, Joe Piwowar, Christina Canart Environmental Systems Engineering AND Department of Geography University of Regina Regina Litter Audit

Litter Auditing Required elements: Method development and testing Method development and testing 2-year sampling period 2-year sampling period Comparative analysis (uniqueness of 2005) Comparative analysis (uniqueness of 2005) Total count and volumetric analyses Total count and volumetric analyses

Project Terms: The City of Regina required information for the possible development of a Litter Control Strategy and Litter Control Program. One element of the problem is an assessment or audit of the current (baseline) litter situation for the City of Regina.

What is “Litter”? According to City of Regina Bylaw #9881: litter was defined as including “…the discard or deposit of garbage which creates or contributes to untidiness or unsightliness, except in a proper garbage receptacle or Landfill site”.

Existing Data & Methods City of Toronto: Big budget process to reduce visible litter Big budget process to reduce visible litter Multi-year, continuous project Multi-year, continuous project Numerous samples throughout each year Numerous samples throughout each year Key objective to reduce total litter through evaluation of campaign results Key objective to reduce total litter through evaluation of campaign results

Sampling Protocols Accumulated litter counts Accumulated litter counts Same monthly period each year for comparison Same monthly period each year for comparison GPS identification of sites GPS identification of sites Sites selected within constraints Sites selected within constraints Grids at each site chosen randomly Grids at each site chosen randomly

Site Selection Public perception, visual accessibility, and City property were key selection parameters for: Commercial Commercial Residential Residential Recreational Recreational Educational Educational Commuter Routes Commuter Routes Major Events Major Events

Site Selection 26 sites were chosen + 2 major events 26 sites were chosen + 2 major events 2 sites were discarded due to safety concerns 2 sites were discarded due to safety concerns Major events were each sampled twice in both 2005 and 2006 Major events were each sampled twice in both 2005 and 2006

Grid Locations on Site Pre-determined prior to site visit (blind)

Grid Identification Street spray paint used to mark each corner (helps with subsequent weeks’ counting) Street spray paint used to mark each corner (helps with subsequent weeks’ counting) Small traffic cones placed on each corner during a survey Small traffic cones placed on each corner during a survey GPS Reference taken GPS Reference taken Photographs taken – litter, site, conditions Photographs taken – litter, site, conditions

Audit Categories PaperPlastic ConfectionsTobacco Products CupsBeverage Containers TetraGlass TinHygienic Waste Other

Sampling Regime Completed in mid- to late-summer both years Completed in mid- to late-summer both years No post-snowmelt, spring count No post-snowmelt, spring count Each site audited 3 times during the summer Each site audited 3 times during the summer Permitted street sweeping between (fresh litter counts) Permitted street sweeping between (fresh litter counts)

2005 in Saskatchewan Centennial Year: Centennial Year: Queen’s visit Queen’s visit Centennial Celebrations & Events Centennial Celebrations & Events 2005 Canada Summer Games 2005 Canada Summer Games Litter Awareness Campaign Litter Awareness Campaign

General Trends: 2005 About 57 pieces of litter per site per audit About 57 pieces of litter per site per audit Primarily Tobacco Products and Gum (by count) Primarily Tobacco Products and Gum (by count)

Modifications for 2006 Count data PLUS volumetric estimations on site Count data PLUS volumetric estimations on site More sites added based on City of Regina input More sites added based on City of Regina input

2006 in Saskatchewan “Typical” year of events and climate “Typical” year of events and climate Comparison (verification) year Comparison (verification) year No marketing campaigns for litter No marketing campaigns for litter

General Trends: 2006 About 85 pieces of litter per site per audit About 85 pieces of litter per site per audit 48% increase from 2005 counts 48% increase from 2005 counts Confections counts were slightly higher than Tobacco and Tobacco Products Confections counts were slightly higher than Tobacco and Tobacco Products 2005 Combined: ~ 61% 2005 Combined: ~ 61% 2006 Combined: ~ 52% 2006 Combined: ~ 52%

Counts versus Volumetric Tobacco products (primarily butts) & Confections (primarily gum) Tobacco products (primarily butts) & Confections (primarily gum) Very high counts in comparison to other categories Very high counts in comparison to other categories Very low volumetric contributions to total litter Very low volumetric contributions to total litter Not highly visible contributions compared to other categories Not highly visible contributions compared to other categories

Volumetric Conversions In 2005, conversions were estimated from standard charts In 2005, conversions were estimated from standard charts In 2006, observations and measurements were taken to determine count vs. volumetric data In 2006, observations and measurements were taken to determine count vs. volumetric data

Summary The Two-Year Study: Confirmed the sampling methodology Confirmed the sampling methodology Identified that 2005 campaigns to reduce did appear to work Identified that 2005 campaigns to reduce did appear to work Showed that counts for Tobacco Products are high, despite not being highly visible litter Showed that counts for Tobacco Products are high, despite not being highly visible litter

Acknowledgements Thank you to: City of Regina, Engineering & Works Dept. City of Regina, Engineering & Works Dept. Dwight Mercer, former Waste Diversion Coordinator, City of Regina Dwight Mercer, former Waste Diversion Coordinator, City of Regina Janna McIntyre, Student Assistant Janna McIntyre, Student Assistant Jon Gillies, former Director, Centre for Sustainable Communities Jon Gillies, former Director, Centre for Sustainable Communities