Page 13 - Day of Action

3.1

Litter

Litter is a very visible problem – it’s easy to see how a lasting and extend far beyond where the problem The Eco-Schools objectives in this topic area are to:
playground full of crisp packets, drinks containers and originates. Threats to wildlife from litter include
chocolate bar wrappers can give a bad impression animals becoming trapped, which can lead to • show that litter is an environmental issue, locally
of the whole school. By carrying out regular litter starvation, mistaking litter for food, injury and food and globally
surveys and making sure the grounds are rubbish poisoning. Litter in our streets can eventually make • encourage schools to put a litter policy into
free, both pupils and the local community will quickly its way into waterways and the marine environment place
notice improvements in the school’s appearance and where materials, such as plastic, break down over • demonstrate that litter prevention and reduction
image. The involvement of the pupils in cleaning up time but never quite disappear, creating ‘plastic is an ongoing process that involves all members
the school environment will also help raise a sense of oceans’ which are ingested by fish and other marine of the school community
personal pride and responsibility. life and end up in the food chain. • regard litter clearing as positive environmental
action
Most litter comes from people dropping it, either on To tackle litter at school you must investigate the • show pupils that litter prevention improves
purpose or by accident, although some litter comes issue regularly, developing actions and maintaining the environmental quality of the school, the
from other sources, for example wind-blown or activities to improve the environment. neighbourhood and the planet
domestic waste spillage. The main types of litter are
smoking-related, confectionery, drinks and fast food.

The amount of time that litter stays around once it’s
been dropped depends on what it is made from. If it
is made from a substance that was once living it will
eventually degrade, if not it could last for hundreds
or even thousands of years. To clear this carelessly
discarded litter creates a direct clean-up cost to
tax payers. As well as environmental harm, a littered
environment also negatively affects tourism, crime,
mental health and property prices. Complete the Litter section of the Environmental
Review

Litter causes significant damage to our wildlife and
environment, the effects of which are often long- Let’s go