BENEFITS OF BEING LITTER-FREE

PalmettoPride wants to create cleaner communities. Our goal is to change the behavior that causes one to litter. We want to eradicate litter, promote beautification projects and improve quality of life for everyone. Our programs bring citizens, governments and businesses together to improve streets, neighborhoods, parks, schools and other public spaces by cleaning up litter and creating safer and healthier communities for everyone. Here are some facts you don’t think about when you think about litter:

• Litter accumulates where there is already litter. • Litter is harmful to the environment, leaching chemicals into soil and water,

endangering animal and aquatic habitats. • Cleaning up litter is one of the cheapest and easiest ways of home improvement. • Cleaning up litter, graffiti, junk cars and illegal dumpsites deter criminal activity. • Cleaner neighborhoods make residents feel safer, friendlier and healthier. • Cleaner neighborhoods strengthen communities and improve quality of life. • Cleaner communities improve real estate values and increase economic

development.

THE COSTS OF LITTERING There are measurable direct and indirect costs associated with litter. According to a 2009 Keep America Beautiful litter study:

• Cities, counties and states spend $1.3 billion annually. This number is a low estimate and only covers line-item budget amounts.

• Cities pay for the bulk of that amount: $797 million. • 36% of business development representatives say that litter impacts a decision

to locate to a community. • The presence of litter decreases property values by 7%. • Communities are relying on volunteers to clean up litter. • Improperly secured truck and cargo loads, including collection vehicles, comprise

20.7% of litter more than 4 inches. • Vehicle debris and improperly secured containers, dumpsters, trash cans or

residential waste/recycling bins represent another 8.1% of litter over 4 inches.

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