Surprise - We Have A Litter Problem!

The presence of litter exposes a truth about Huntington and the surrounding communities – there is a decline in standards of cleanliness and tidiness that are a sign of a deeper malaise, a symptom of moral and spiritual decline.

The reason most community litter control efforts fail is because people want instant results and put their effort into cleaning up, but this does not change the behavior that leads to littering.

Some Possible Reasons We Have a Litter Problem

· We live in a "disposable" culture
· Packaging
· Easy to carry discardables
· Underage drinkers
· Attitude
· "Can do whatever we want" culture
· Lack of education in schools
· Attitudes-children are the key
· Laziness and "don't care"
· No consequences
· Trash flying out of trucks
· "Someone (else) will pick it up"
· Restricted hours for landfill facilities and no means of hauling
· Lack of city-wide litter and cigarette butt disposal equipment

Until we citizens insist that the city government install the necessary infrastructure for litter disposal, we will always be a littered and unattractive city. Every street corner in Huntington must have a secured litter receptacle and every business should have a cigarette disposal unit at their entrance, since customers may not enter with a lighted cigarette. After these are in place, enforcement comes next. The city government must show leadership in getting the proper litter control equipment in place.

Then we can get real serious about enforcement. Those who litter, after there is litter equipment readily available should pay! The fine for littering is up to $500 and/or up to the thirty-days (30) in jail, and a cigarette butt thrown from an automobile includes a fine and/or jail-time and three (3) points on your drivers license. Everyone be forwarned; now let's get the infrastructure in place!

What do you think?