Route Fifty: New Ideas for How Cities Can Stop People From Littering

Read the full story by Route Fifty contributors here.

Cities across the United States are struggling to deal with litter. In addition to its negative environmental and health impacts, litter abatement costs local and state governments $1.3 billion each year. The pandemic has made matters worse, with garbage collection staff shortages and new types of improperly disposed of waste, like personal protective equipment.

Because littering is an inherently behavioral problem, local governments typically invest in signage to encourage people to throw their trash away properly. Yet 90% of U.S. residents already think that littering is an issue.

So do signs shift behavior?

New research suggests they do not—at least not enough to be worth it. With this evidence in hand, we can point to more effective long-term solutions for cities.