What exactly is leaving behind litter? The incorrect disposal of rubbish is called littering. Whether done knowingly or unknowingly, littering has an impact on the environment. 

What are the most-commonly littered items?

Keep America Beautiful (KAB) researchers discovered the following objects are regularly left as litter:

Fast food packaging (bags, cups, etc.)

vehicle debris and tires

Plastic bags

Plastic bottles

Construction waste

Unfortunately, these are just a few examples of littering . According to the KAB report, there has been a rise in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) since the covid-19 outbreak, with an estimated 207 million pairs of PPE gloves and masks clogging up streets and rivers. 

Why do individuals litter?

According to 2009 research by KBA, 76% of roadside litter is the result of drivers and pedestrians purposefully throwing things on the road. Despite repeated requests for individuals to cease littering, it still continues to largely be a deliberate act. 

But given the damage that littering does to the environment, why do people do it on purpose?

Possible causes for this include:

Laziness

Carelessness

No access to trash cans

already having litter in the vicinity

People who litter out of carelessness or laziness frequently think that someone else (a park employee or maintenance worker) will come along and pick up the litter and properly dispose of it. On the other hand, some people might litter because they are ignorant of the damage it does to the environment, while others might reside in a place where it is socially acceptable.

What are the environmental effects of littering?

Littering harms the ecosystem for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from pollution, wildlife dangers, spreading of diseases, etc. Next time you need to dispose of your rubbish remember to throw it in the bin rather than the floor.