Keep America Beautiful: New Study Of Litter In America Shows 54% Reduction Since 2009; Helps Inform PA Litter Action Plan

On May 19, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful reported Keep America Beautiful announced the summary of its 2020 study on litter in America which found roadway litter was down 54 percent since 2009. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is part of the national organization’s network of 700 state and community-based affiliates. 

The Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study provides a detailed understanding of the quantity, composition, and sources of litter across the United States. The organization’s 2020 study is a follow up to its landmark 2009 study, which builds on a history of science-based litter research started by Keep America Beautiful in 1969.

“I am thrilled to continue the history of Keep America Beautiful as the leader in litter research in the United States, and methodology that has now been used around the world,” said Dr. Helen Lowman, Keep America Beautiful President and CEO. “This data will help inform our programs for years to come addressing both litter on the ground and the act of littering. Our many diverse partners, our 700 affiliate organizations, and the millions of volunteers activated annually will use this data to work towards our vision that everyone in America lives in a beautiful community.”

Key findings include: 

-- Nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways

-- Slightly more litter along waterways (25.9B) than roadways (23.7B)

-- 152 items for each U.S. resident

-- More than 2,000 pieces of litter per mile (both roadway and waterway)

-- 90% of people surveyed believe litter is a problem in their state

-- 6 billion pieces more than 4 inches in size

-- Most littered item remains cigarette butts, but this litter is down almost 70%

-- 207.1M PPE items littered

“I congratulate Keep America Beautiful for completing this litter study. Litter is a pervasive problem in Pennsylvania,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “In partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation, in 2020 we released the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study which identified over 500 million pieces of litter along Pennsylvania roadways, 2,018 pieces per mile. 

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful also released The Cost of Litter and Illegal Dumping in Pennsylvania which found that just nine municipalities spent over 65 million dollars on litter and illegal dumping; 80 percent on cleanups,” added Reiter. “Since the release of these reports, the pandemic has only compounded the litter and illegal dumping problems across Pennsylvania. Businesses and communities all across the Commonwealth are reeling with the high economic and environmental costs of litter.”

Reiter believes that data from these reports will help inform and guide Pennsylvania stakeholders as they develop the state’s first Litter Action Plan to reduce littering in Pennsylvania. 

“The Litter Action Plan, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation, will guide the strategic investment in solid waste disposal and recycling infrastructure, education and outreach, and provide for a thoughtful evaluation of enforcement of existing litter and illegal dumping laws,” said Reiter.  “While absolutely necessary, cleanups alone are not going to solve the problem.” 

Click Here to learn more about Pennsylvania’s Litter Action Plan.

Keep America Beautiful retained Burns & McDonnell, a leading environmental engineering firm, to conduct its 2020 Study, which has four components: Public Attitudes Survey, Visible Litter Survey, Behavioral Observations Survey, and Financial Cost of Litter Survey (ongoing).

Sponsors of the Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study include dozens of individuals, corporations, industry groups, and foundations highlighting our belief in the strength of bringing everyone to the table. 

The largest supporters include Altria, American Beverage Association, American Chemistry Council, Dow, Food Packaging Institute, Garver Hilyard Black Foundation, National Association of Convenience Stores, Plastics Industry Association and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco.

Click Here for a summary of the KAB 2020 litter study.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

The 2021 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative will be held from March 1 through May 31.  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

[Posted: May 19, 2021]  PA Environment Digest