Litter is an unhealthy, harmful and intolerable blight. It affects our quality of life, and it creates a negative impression of our community. This affects tourism and economic development. It also pollutes our land and water and is detrimental to wildlife. It’s also expensive to remove. Did you know? … Kentucky spends millions of dollars every year cleaning up roadways, in addition to the tens of thousands spent by County agencies. So, why do people litter? Studies show people litter because: They feel no sense of ownership, even though areas like parks and roadways are public property. They believe someone else, a highway worker or park maintenance person will pick up after them. Litter has already accumulated; this invites more people to litter! How does litter get moved around? Litter is blown about by wind or traffic or carried by water. It moves until trapped by a curb, building or fence. WHERE DOES LITTER COME FROM? Litter comes from seven primary sources: 1. Household Trash at the Curb When trash is set out loose or set out too early, wind and animals tear the bags and spread the trash. Solution: Place your trash in a can with a fly-tight lid and place it no earlier than the evening before the collection service comes. Did you know?… Some counties have ordinances stipulating this! 2. Dumpsters that are Full/Overflowing Solution: Make sure dumpsters are emptied frequently and their lids and doors are closed. 3. Loading Docks Solution: Make sure docks are kept free of loose debris that can blow off site. 4. Construction/Demolition Sites Solution: Place all trash into on-site dumpsters. Pick up any trash that may blow onto streets or other properties. 5. Trucks with Uncovered Loads This includes trash tossed in truck beds, as it blows out onto roadways & properties. Solution: See to it that trucks are always covered and keep trash inside the truck cab until you get to a trashcan. 6. Pedestrians Solution: Never, never litter! For those who manage bus stops, parks or anywhere there are benches, make sure there are litter baskets available and placed very near those places. 7. Motorists Solution: Never, never litter! Use litterbags and never throw cigarette filters out of your vehicle. They take 7-10 years to decompose - they do NOT help the environment!. DEGRADABLE FACTS Litter will not simply go away in a few days! The amount of time it takes objects to biodegrade: - Paper: 2-4 weeks - A cotton rug: 1-5 months - Rope: 3-14 months - A wool sock: 1 year - A painted wooden stake:13 years - A tin can: 100 years - An aluminum can: years - A plastic 6-pack holder: 450 years - A glass bottle: an undetermined number of years - A cigarette filter: 7-10 years We know that litter is ugly to look at, but how does it effect wildlife? Fishing Line Monofilament fishing line gets tangled on legs and beaks of water birds like geese and herons. It also interferes with their swimming, running and flying. Birds with long bills often get line wrapped around their bills and cannot open them to eat so they starve to death. Cans Opened cans are a problem for some animals. Animals, like deer, can cut their tongues on the cans. Sometimes smaller animals get their heads stuck inside such cans and they can’t eat. Starvation is the result.