This document discusses the issue of littering and its physical, social, and environmental effects. It begins by defining litter and noting some litter facts about how long different materials take to decompose. It then presents the research question about the effects of littering and some initial hypotheses that only certain groups like "litterbugs" and youth contribute to littering. Through interviews and research, the document realizes that everyone, including individuals, government, and businesses, are responsible. The thesis argues that littering leads to social effects like less neighborhood pride, and physical effects like dirty streets and environmental perceptions of crime. It also leads to environmental effects like pollution and health issues. The document proposes an action plan to educate people, ensure equity in street cleaning

1. Michelle Liriano & Lilian Ruiz

2. Literature Review “Litter is anything that is thrown, dropped or deposited in a public place creating an eyesore and/or environmental damage. It can be described as rubbish in the wrong place” (http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2235657/What-is-litter-Why-is-litter-a-problem).

3. Litter Facts 90 years 1 year 1 month 3-4 weeks http://mdc.mo.gov/nomoretrash/facts/

4. Litter Facts >1 million years million years 200-500 years 550 years http://mdc.mo.gov/nomoretrash/facts/

5. Research Question What are the physical, social, and environmental effects of littering?

6. Why Littering? Trash on the sidewalk In our neighborhoods An issue in OUR city

7. Why Littering? What I hoped to find: Why do people litter? Why are some neighborhoods cleaner than others? Who is responsible for cleaning the city of Boston? Do corner stores, garbage trucks, train stations contribute to the trash on streets? Are there enough trash cans provided in neighborhoods in Boston

8. So, what’s the Problem? Actions of people- people who throw their trash out on the streets Not enough trash cans in neighborhoods and streets Illegal Dumping Negligence from the city’s part to provide an equal amount of resources to each neighborhood in Boston.

9. Hypothesis So we thought… Only people who litter (litterbugs) were involved The city wasn’t doing anything about it People don’t care about their neighborhoods Youth were the main contributors

10. Literature Review Main types of litter

11. Literature Review “… as people's perceptions of neighborhood decline increase, it's more likely that crime will occur and that criminals will be drawn to the area because it appears more likely that criminal behavior will be tolerated or ignored” (Impact of Litter, 2).

12. Literature Review “Some explanation of why people litter is that it is an anti-social behavior, the result of negligence, habit, or lack of education about the impact of littering” (Impact of Litter, 3).

18. Methodology- Interviews People with experience Micheal Watts Kate England Betty Cowan Candice Cook Mike Handly Provide us with facts Different side of the story Why this problem still persists in Boston

19. Methodology Internship Placement

20. We came to the realization that everyone is at fault The government You (littering and for not doing anything) Us (for not doing anything) Thesis

21. Thesis Social Effects: People less likely to visit the area Takes the pride away from a neighborhood People will not value where they live Littering will become a habit

22. Thesis Physical Effects: Streets look dirty and neighborhoods unattractive Hurts the community by making the community trashy fewer customers for businesses Leads to crime perceptions neighborhood looks neglected

23. Thesis Environmental Effects: Trash clogs sewers, rivers, creates toxic soil Plants will die Health of people will be at risk, Asthma rates Diseases carried by an increase pests Increases pollution

24. Defense/Evidence Jenkins described what the word environment means to ACE, “Environment is where you live, learn, play, therefore environmental justice (which is what ACE strives to do) is how people interact with their surroundings.”

31. Action Plan LearnIdentifyTeachTrainEventsRestore

33. Broadcasting a PSA to general public

34. Curriculum in schools

36. Enough trash cans

37. Bag change

38. Street cleaning

41. Sports team connection

42. Button Campaign for city residents/youth