Chesapeake In The Know

We all know littering is bad. And yet, we still do it. Why? I went to Keep America Beautiful to learn more about litter. Here’s what I learned.

Litter has many costs. It can clog storm drains, contaminate water, and kill animals. Litter cleanup costs the U.S.  $11.5 billion annually with 80% of those costs going to businesses. Litter in a neighborhood can decrease property value.

A majority of litter is very small such as cigarette butts and candy wrappers. These items alone might not seem like much but they add up quickly. Other popular items are plastics like bottles and bags.
Individuals under 30 are more likely to litter than those who are older. This fact hit me hard. I thought we were better than this, millennials!

At the end of the day it comes down to personal responsibility. Whether it’s a candy wrapper or a banana peel, it doesn’t belong on the ground. As our friends at AskHRGreen.org say, there’s no such thing as a little litter!