The Link between Recycling and Litter: A Field Study

Determine whether residential recycling programs introduced an additional benefit (reduced litter) and evaluated the proposition that such programs should impart to participants a heightened environmental awareness and understanding that may encourage them to litter less and/or pick up more accumulated litter. Also examined was accumulated litter by various types (recyclable litter, recyclable accessories, and nonrecyclable litter) in selected neighborhoods before and after the implementation of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, curbside recycling program. Recyclable litter decreased significantly after the onset of the program. However, there was no similar decline in other types of litter. Although participants were motivated to discard fewer recyclables and/or pick up more recyclable litter after implementation of the program, this behavior did not carry over to the proper disposal of nonrecyclable litter.