What exactly is litter? It simply is trash put in the wrong place. Where it does not belong is on the ground, in the rivers or oceans or blowing in the air.

Litter is ugly. No one likes to live where there is litter. Neighborhoods with a litter problem usually have higher crime, lower property values and less pride in their neighborhood. A place that is littered tends to encourage more litter. So, the quicker dropped litter is picked up, the less chance it has of accumulating.

Litter is expensive. Houses for sale in littered neighborhoods usually don't get the best prices and owners lose money. Fires started by dropped or dumped litter cause millions of dollars of damage every year.

Litter is illegal. Littering is against the law and fines may be given for breaking littering laws.

Litter is a problem that can be controlled. Education is an important tool. People who are aware of the dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash in the correct place. They also spread the word to others they see littering and teach them to dispose of garbage the right way.

Source: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality