Presentation1

Michelle Liriano & Lilian Ruiz

Literature Review

• “Litter is anything that is thrown, dropped or deposited in a public place creating an eyesore and/or environmental damage. It can be described as rubbish in the wrong place” (http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2235657/What-is-litter-Why-is-litter-a-problem).

Litter Facts

Tinned Can

Wool Sock

Paper Bag

Banana Peel

http://mdc.mo.gov/nomoretrash/facts/

90 years

1 year

1 month

3-4 weeks

Litter Facts

http://mdc.mo.gov/nomoretrash/facts/

Styrofoam Container

Plastic Jug

Aluminum Can

Disposable Diaper

>1 million years

million years

200-500 years

550 years

Research Question

•What are the physical, social, and environmental effects of littering?

Why Littering?

• Trash on the sidewalk

• In our neighborhoods

• An issue in OUR city

Why Littering?

• What I hoped to find:

– Why do people litter?

– Why are some neighborhoods cleaner than others?

– Who is responsible for cleaning the city of Boston?

– Do corner stores, garbage trucks, train stations contribute to the trash on streets?

– Are there enough trash cans provided in neighborhoods in Boston

So, what’s the Problem?

• Actions of people- people who throw their trash out on the streets

• Not enough trash cans in neighborhoods and streets

• Illegal Dumping

• Negligence from the city’s part to provide an equal amount of resources to each neighborhood in Boston.

Hypothesis

• So we thought…– Only people who litter (litterbugs) were

involved

– The city wasn’t doing anything about it

– People don’t care about their neighborhoods

– Youth were the main contributors

Type of litter Percentages

Fast food 33%

Paper 29%

Aluminum 28%

Glass 6%

Plastic 2%

Other 2%

Main types of litter

Literature Review

Literature Review

• “… as people's perceptions of neighborhood decline increase, it's more likely that crime will occur and that criminals will be drawn to the area because it appears more likely that criminal behavior will be tolerated or ignored” (Impact of Litter, 2).

Literature Review

• “Some explanation of why people litter is that it is an anti-social behavior, the result of negligence, habit, or lack of education about the impact of littering” (Impact of Litter, 3).

Methodology- Interviews

• People with experience– Micheal Watts– Kate England– Betty Cowan– Candice Cook– Mike Handly

• Provide us with facts

• Different side of the story

• Why this problem still persists in Boston

Methodology

• Internship Placement

• We came to the realization that everyone is at fault– The government– You (littering and for not doing anything)

– Us (for not doing anything)

Thesis

ThesisSocial Effects:• People less likely to visit the area

• Takes the pride away from a neighborhood

• People will not value where they live

• Littering will become a habit

Thesis

Physical Effects:• Streets look dirty and neighborhoods

unattractive

• Hurts the community by making the community trashy– fewer customers for businesses

• Leads to crime perceptions – neighborhood looks neglected

Thesis

Environmental Effects:• Trash clogs sewers, rivers, creates

toxic soil• Plants will die • Health of people will be at risk, – Asthma rates– Diseases carried by an increase pests

• Increases pollution

Defense/Evidence

• Jenkins described what the word environment means to ACE, –“Environment is where you

live, learn, play, therefore environmental justice (which is what ACE strives to do) is how people interact with their surroundings.”

LearnIdentifyTeachTrainEventsRestore

Action Plan

The Ask

•Educate People

•Broadcasting a PSA to general

public

•Curriculum in schools

•City services

The Ask

•Equity between Neighborhoods

•Enough trash cans

•Bag change

•Street cleaning

• Jobs

The Ask

•Set Example

•Sports team connection

•Button Campaign for city

residents/youth

•Take ownership of issue

Questions/Comments??

Thank you for your time!