The Link between Recycling and Litter

The purpose of our research was to determine whether residential recycling programs introduced an additional benefit-reduced litter. We evaluated the proposition that such programs should impart to participants a heightened environmental awareness and understanding that may encourage them to litter less and/or pick up more accumulated litter. We examined accumulated litter by various types-recyclable litter, recyclable accessories, and nonrecyclable litter-in selected neighborhoods before and after the implementation of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, curbside recycling program. We found that recyclable lifter decreased significantly after the onset of the program. However, there was no similar decline in other types of litter. Although participants were motivated to discard fewer recyclables and/or pick up more recyclable litter after Implementation of the program, this behavior did not carry over to the proper disposal of nonrecyclable lifter.

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