MICHIGAN ROADSIDE LITTER COMPOSITION STUDY

The analysis of the litter data collected over the past three years indicates that roadside litter was substantially reduced in 1979. The data also confirms that the beverage container legislation was a primary factor responsible for litter decrease. In addition, decreased traffic volumes and increased public concern have figured prominently in reducing total litter. Highway roadside litter decreased 41% during the 30 day August/September survey period in 1979 over the same period in 1978. In 1978, however, beverage containers affected by the law made up only 16% of the roadside litter total and while there was an 84% reduction in beverage containers in 1979, that reduction only accounts for a little over one-third of the 41% reduction in total litter. While decreased August traffic volumes in 1979 have had an impact on roadside litter, especially in tourist areas, a large portion of the reduction can be attributed to an indirect benefit of the "Bottle Bill." It is quite possible that, with all the publicity and public awareness the "Bottle Bill" has generated, our society has become more litter conscious.

• Corporate Authors:

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  Maintenance Division, 425 West Ottawa, P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Publication Date: 1979-12

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Components; Containers; Litter; Maintenance; Roadside; Social values; Tourists; Traffic volume
• Old TRIS Terms: Community values
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00330734
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 12 1981 12:00AM