TAKE ACTION
What can you do?
The first, and most important, thing is to set a good example by
not littering. Once you've committed to keeping your trash where
it belongs, you can also work on the following:
- Pick up one piece of litter every day.
- If you haul materials in the back of a truck, be sure to cover your load. Much of the litter on our roadways is accidentally blown out of the back of trucks.
- Make sure your trash cans have lids that can be securely attached. If you have curbside trash service, don't put out uncovered containers or open boxes filled with trash. Bungee cords work well to hold lids in place.
- Secure papers before placing them in a curbside recycling bin. Loose papers can be blown out by the wind.
- Carry a litterbag in your car. Try reusing your plastic grocery bags. They make great car litterbags.
- If you are a smoker, use a proper ashtray or trash receptacle to dispose of your cigarettes.
- Suggest a cleanup as a public service project at your place of work, church or community organization. Check out the Clean Community Challenge or Rivers Alive programs and get involved.
- "Adopt" a spot and maintain it on a regular basis, or find out how you can plant and maintain flowers along a curb, sidewalk or in your local park. People litter less where areas have been beautified. Talk to your employer about getting involved in the Adopt-A-Highway program.
- Find out if your community has a local Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliate and get involved! If not, find out how you can start your own program.
- Download litter games and activities
from our Web site to teach your children the do's and
don'ts of litter.
The most successful way to prevent littering in your community is to have an ongoing, organized program that involves local government, businesses, civic groups, the media, schools and private citizens.
