Prince William County officials announced on Mar. 20 that the county is observing Litter Awareness Month, emphasizing the impact of litter on the environment, public safety, health, quality of life, and economic development.
The announcement aims to raise awareness about the widespread issue of littering and encourage residents and businesses to take steps to prevent it. Officials point out that even small pieces of litter can accumulate and cause significant problems for communities.
According to a national study by Keep America Beautiful in 2020, nearly 50 billion pieces of litter were found along U.S. roadways and waterways at the time of the study. This amounts to more than 2,000 pieces per mile or about 152 pieces for every resident in the country. The most common items included cigarette butts, plastic film, food packaging film such as candy wrappers and snack bags, as well as fast-food cups and other packaging materials.
The study also found that people are more likely to litter when there are no trash cans nearby, when disposing of cigarette butts, or when an area is already littered. Local sources in Prince William County noted that uncovered truck beds can also contribute to unintentional littering.
County officials recommend several actions for residents: securing loads on vehicles during transport; keeping a trash bag in cars; holding onto waste until a proper receptacle is available; ensuring household trash bags are tied and placed in containers with lids; and using reusable items instead of single-use products. Businesses are encouraged to keep dumpster lids closed and provide adequate trash receptacles for customers.
Community clean-up events such as Dumpster Days offer opportunities for residents to dispose of large items responsibly. Organizations like Keep Prince William Beautiful provide resources for organizing or joining local cleanups through programs like Adopt-a-Spot or Adopt-a-Highway.
The county also reminds residents about relevant sections of its Solid Waste Refuse Code Chapter 22 related to covering loads, not dumping illegally, maintaining clean sidewalks, using proper receptacles, and fines ranging from $25 to $50 for violations.
Officials hope these efforts will motivate community members to help eliminate litter throughout Prince William County.
