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Background For Teachers

>Seven Sources of Litter

A Private Driveway Feb 22, 2006

1. Home garbage--Trash containers that don’t have tight fitting lids or no lids can be knocked over by animals and the wind can move the trash several blocks or even miles. Paper or plastic bags can be opened by animals.
2. Truck loads--Loads that are not tied down can release many dangerous materials. Air pressure increases as trucks drive faster and loose materials can be blown off truck beds. Roads to the dumps and landfills are often easy to follow because of all the litter along the roadway.
3. Construction and demolition sites--If fences are not erected around construction sites, materials can flow out of the site carried by wind and rain.
4. Loading docks--If storage bins or dumpster lids are not closed tightly, materials can become scattered.
5. Motorists--Individuals who do not use car litter bags or litter containers at rest areas, gas stations, and fast food stores will often use the road side as their garbage can.
6. Pedestrians--Individuals who generate waste while walking, jogging, biking, etc., and do not wait to throw it into a trash can.
7. Business trash--If trash bins do not have lids or if lids are not closed tightly or locked then trash can be scattered.

"areas which are allowed to remain dirty are prone to becoming more dirty, i.e. litter gives "permission" to litter"

Individuals who do not use car litter bags or litter containers at rest areas, gas stations, and fast food stores will often use the road side as their garbage can

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