Addressing Pennsylvania’s litter problem

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — 90% of individuals suppose that litter is an issue in Pennsylvania in response to a joint Division of Environmental Safety (DEP), the Division of Transportation (PennDOT, and Preserve Pennsylvania Lovely survey. The DEP described the findings of this survey and others as ‘vital’ and ‘stunning’ as a result of quantity of litter on roadways and the amount of cash cities are spending towards anti-litter packages.

The DEP studies there’s about 502.5 million items of litter on Pennsylvania’s roadways, primarily single-use supplies like cigarette butts and plastic bottles.

Preserve Pennsylvania Lovely surveyed 9 cities together with Altoona and located they collectively spend about $68.5 million {dollars} on schooling, prevention, and enforcement of littering and unlawful dumping. They mentioned this was ‘stunning’ and diverts funding from different essential packages.

The DEP and PennDOT are partnered on PA’s first-ever ‘Litter Motion Plan’ geared toward altering Pennsylvanian’s behaviors. It focuses on schooling and outreach, infrastructure, partnerships, and legislation enforcement.

Each the automobile code and crimes code of Pennsylvania deal with littering.

“The distinctive factor in regards to the automobile code is the truth that the driving force is accountable in the event that they’re caught, but when they’ll’t establish a driver, the proprietor of the automobile can also be accountable for something thrown from the automobile,” mentioned State School Police Captain Gregory Brauser.

Fines fluctuate primarily based on circumstance.

“In addition they embody the opportunity of being compelled to do litter cleansing,” mentioned Brauser.

Brauser mentioned simply since you don’t see a police automobile doesn’t imply you’ll get away with littering.

“Loads of instances individuals name in in the event that they see somebody littering,” mentioned Brauser.

One approach to become involved with roadway cleanup is PennDOT’s ‘Undertake a Freeway’ program.

“These are volunteer teams that exit, often about twice a yr, to scrub up particular sections of freeway,” mentioned Marla Fannin, group relations coordinator for PennDOT Engineering District 2-0.

Throughout 9 counties, there’s about 320 ‘Undertake a Freeway’ partnerships.

“It’s actually impactful, very highly effective, and actually group pushed,” mentioned Fannin.

The DEP says altering Pennsylvanian’s conduct is not going to be simple, however they are saying by growing entry to trash and recycling choices and holding litterers accountable, Pennsylvania can be cleaner and extra vibrant.