Campaign Poster

The Cost of Litter

• Litter defaces natural beauty and detracts from the enjoyment of life
• It looks bad and creates a bad image for where we live, especially tourist locations
• Litter accumulation detracts from the value of property and is a sign of early urban decay
• Litter costs money to clean up, which is paid for by ratepayers
• High levels of litter make people feel unsafe, it is also a threat to public health because it attracts vermin and is a breeding ground for bacteria
• General litter can be a fire hazard, especially when combined with cigarette-butt litter
• Litter attracts litter by sending out the message that people do not care for the environment and that it is acceptable to litter
• Plastic litter can choke or suffocate birds and marine life. Carelessly discarded containers can trap small creatures
• Rubbish pollutes waterways, affecting the plants and wildlife in and around them
• Litter can block drains and cause flooding