Facts

What is Litter?

• The majority of litter on major interstates is debris from unsecured loads on commercial trucks, including commercial carriers hauling trash without tarps. 
• Large items dumped intentionally on roadsides, including mattresses, box springs, building materials 
• The Georgia DOT also deals with a significant amount of clean-up from crashes/accidents and truck tire "alligators." 
• Car trash from motorists including cigarette butts, fast food packaging, beverage cans, etc.

What Does our Research Effort Tell Us About Litter in Georgia?

Despite the high costs, Georgia DOT litter pickup efforts do not solve the litter problem. Litter reappears on Georgia’s roadsides within days after clean up.
Research shows:

• Three out of four Georgia motorists say they have seen trash thrown out of a vehicle, yet only one in ten admit to littering from their vehicle.
• Each Georgia resident disposes of approximately 6.3 pounds of trash each day.
• Eight out of ten motorists believe people litter because it is easier than saving trash to discard later.

Other Facts

• There are currently 11 Litter Control Laws in Georgia. Those convicted on littering faces fines up to $1,000 and can be ordered to pick up litter themselves.
• The most commonly found items during roadside litter clean ups are cigarette butts, fast food wrappers and aluminum cans.