 Litter is the result of too little attention to how waste is handled — the careless and casual handling of waste creates litter. Knowing more about the causes of litter and where it comes from is a good place to start in addressing litter prevention. One person, one business, one organization can positively affect the behavior of others in their community. No matter where litter starts, it moves. From streets and highways to parks and waterways. Wind and weather moves litter around a community, into the gutters, planted gardens, alleyways and parking areas. In one study, researchers found that 18% of all littered items end up in our streams and waterways as pollution. Roadside Litter Decomposition ChartWhy People Litter Keep America Beautiful (KAB) has determined that people litter for a variety of reasons. They feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as parks and beaches are public property. They believe someone else-a park maintenance or highway worker- will pick up after them. People also litter in places where litter has already accumulated. One of KAB goals is to end littering. Who Is Littering? There is no such thing as a single “littering type”. People of all ages and social backgrounds have been observed littering, … men and women, children, mature adults and all ages in between are equally likely to litter. Today’s litterer may be you.Where do people litter? Research has identified locations where litter accumulates. The locations fall into these categories: special event venues, roadways and highways, high traffic and everyday locations and transition points. What Can YOU Do?
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality- Litter Prevention Program
Ashland
Town of Ashland Litter Program Contact Jenny Schontag, Public Works (804) 752-6875  Don’t Trash Ashland Charles City County
Charles City County Clean Community Commission Adopt-a-Highway Program Contact Department of Development (804) 829-9217 or visit the Charles City Clean County Commission webpage Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County Litter Program Contact Community Enhancement at (804) 748-1500 or (804) 748-1229 Don’t Trash Chesterfield Colonial Heights
Colonial Heights Department of Public Works Chuck Henley, Director of Solid Waste (804) 520-9372 Patsy Dixon (804) 520-9372 Don’t Trash Colonial Heights Goochland County
Goochland Anti-litter and Recycling Council (GARC) Dwayne Jones, Convenience Center Manager (804)657-2025 Don’t Trash Goochland Hanover County
Hanover County Department of Public Works Stephen Chidsey, Chief of Public Works Operations (804) 365-6181 Tina Askew (Litter Control) Don’t Trash Hanover Henrico County
Keep Henrico Beautiful Because We Care Litter Control Program,Henrico County’s litter prevention program Megan Brown, Executive Coordinator (804) 501-4502 or khb@co.henrico.va.us Don’t Trash Henrico New Kent County
Clean County Committee of New Kent County Adopt-a-Highway Program New Kent Clean County Committee – (804) 966-8580 Don’t Trash New Kent City of Petersburg
Keep Petersburg Beautiful Committee Contact Dept of Public Works – (804) 733-2415 Don’t Trash Petersburg Powhatan County
Powhatan Anti-litter Council Cathy Howland, Powhatan Cooperative Extension- (804) 598-5640 Don’t Trash Powhatan City of Richmond
Locality-specific litter prevention and litter education questions can be directed to area Recycling and Litter Prevention Program Managers.
Richmond Clean City Commission Call Community Programs Coordinator – (804) 646-8325 Don’t Trash Richmond Or, contact Keep Virginia Beautiful. Looking for litter education lesson plans? Litterati and Chris Woods- Daily Stem offer K-12 lesson plans. Click here for more information on the lessons.  |
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Secure Your Load
Be Responsible, Secure your Load and Stop Litter!
You can do your part to help prevent litter, accidents and pollution! When using any vehicle or trailer to haul material, take a few minutes to secure the load. You are responsible for it; and it is also the law!
Tips for Securing Loads:
- Tie down items with rope, bungee cords or adjustable straps. Tie large items directly to the vehicle or trailer.
- Cover your load with a sturdy reinforced plastic or canvas tarp.
- Make sure brush and debris are not overhanging vehicle/trailer or dragging on road.
- Put lighter weight items at the bottom of the load, such as empty cardboard boxes
- Don’t overload. Keep material level with the top of truck bed or trailer .
- Always double check your load and be aware of it while driving!