The Smith County Chamber of Commerce and Keep Smith County Beautiful committee would like to recognize and support the efforts of our members. Sonic of Carthage has shown an exemplary effort in keeping their business clean. These efforts reflect positively around the community. Sonic has 3 trash cans just beyond the drive-thru window and 4 more on the patio area. Unlike some area fast food parking areas, trash is rarely seen on the grounds. Please join us in supporting Smith County SONIC on Monday, October 31st to celebrate the positive impact they are making on Smith County. They will be given an Outstanding Local Member award from the Smith County Chamber of Commerce for their extraordinary effort to keep fast food litter off our local highways.
Some statistics from Keep Smith County Beautiful:
According to the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study 51 billion pieces of litter land on U.S. roadways each year. While visible roadside litter has decreased by about 61% since 1969, litter is still a persistent problem. Consider these facts:
- Litter cleanup costs the U.S. almost $11.5 billion each year, with businesses paying $9.1 billion. Governments, schools, and other organizations pick up the remainder.
- Community economy and quality of life suffer. The presence of litter in a community takes a toll on quality of life, property values, and housing prices. KAB’s 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study found that litter in a community decreases property value. The presence of litter is also known to increase crime including drug activity.
- Litter has environmental consequences. Wind and weather, traffic, and animals move litter into gutters, lawns and landscaped areas, alleyways, and parking structures. Debris may be carried by storm drains into local waterways, with potential for serious environmental contamination. Along roadways, motorists (52%) and pedestrians (23%) are the biggest contributors to litter. Research also shows that individuals under 30 are more likely to litter than those who are older. In fact, age, and not gender, is a significant predictor of littering behavior. Why do people litter? Here is what the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study found:
- Personal choice. Individual behavior—or choosing to litter—means litter on the ground. Nearly one in five of all disposals observed in public spaces were littering. And 81% of littering was intentional, e.g., flicking, flinging, or dropping. On the other hand, individuals who hold the belief that littering is wrong, and consequently feel a personal obligation not to litter, are less likely to do so.
- Litter begets litter. Individuals are much more likely to litter into a littered environment. And once there, it attracts more litter. By contrast, a clean community discourages littering and improves overall community quality of life. Availability and proximity to trash and recycling receptacles also impact whether someone chooses to litter.
- It’s “not my responsibility”. Some people feel no sense of ownership for parks, walkways, beaches, and other public spaces. They believe someone else will pick up after them; that it’s not their responsibility.
There have been many studies and surveys done about littering, but the foundation of littering comes down to one thing: Each time a single piece of litter is thrown out it is money you will have to pay for someone to pick
up and also dispose of that litter. The more litter there is, the more money it costs to clean it up and help keep our environment thriving at its fullest. It costs tax dollars to have public works, highway departments, and even prison work crews to clean up litter. There is the cost of manpower, vehicles, fuel, bags, gloves, and other supplies. It costs tax dollars to have public works, highway departments, and even prison work crews to clean up litter.
Smith County spent over $87,000 on trash and litter pick-up last year. The City of Carthage spent approximately $40,000 last year. The City of South Carthage spent approximately $20,000 last year. The City of Gordonsville spent approximately $60,000 last year. This is a total impact of $207,000 spent picking up “car window trash” in Smith county that could be spent on other things. This is money you and I are paying as part of our local property taxes. Is our money being spent wisely and what can we do to make a difference? How can we, as a community, reduce the amount of litter that must be picked up and the cost of Keeping Smith County Beautiful as low as possible? Well, here are some possible solutions below: Each of us can take responsibility and get our trash in the trash can and to the landfill for safe processing. Each of us can make the positive choice to hold on to our trash until it can be properly disposed. Businesses in Smith County can actively support better behavior and less littering by making trash cans more accessible.
Approximately half of the litter, on our local roadways, comes from Fast Food restaurants. People are in such a hurry they eat on the go and ultimately discard their trash where ever it is most convenient for them. Unfortunately, this means to the roadside in many instances. In Smith County we have Currently 8 Fast Food restaurants with drive through’s. Two have trash cans that are easily accessible, without exiting their automobiles, to those using the drive thru window. 4 of 8 have no trash cans outside their buildings. 2 restaurants have trash cans outside but using them requires leaving your automobile to access them to dispose of trash.
Like anything we wish to improve, our beliefs and actions must be in sync. We must work together to make a difference and agree with one another that Fast Food Litter control is a priority. We must educate our local population about the cost of uncontrolled litter to Smith County and let our local Fast Food providers know we appreciate their efforts to control the trash they produce. As a customer of local Drive-Thru restaurants you need to compliment the ones that are taking positive steps and let them know it means something positive to see trash containers at and near their drive-thru windows. Tell the folks at Sonic in Carthage you appreciate their effort.
The Keep Smith County Beautiful committee has free car litter bags contact Barbara Kannapel, Chair if you would like to receive one of the free car litter bags – 615-489-5900.
