Littering

Check out the details of the new Do The Right Thing campaign.

The SWSA introduced a litter reduction program in Southern Tasmania in 2002, based largely on research conducted on behalf of the Beverage Industry Environment Council (BIEC) by independent consultants Community Change. Additional sources have been consulted, to cross-check the key findings.

The research supports the view that a combination of the following strategies is necessary for a litter reduction program to be effective in the long term:

• Education strategies.
• Antecedent strategies (preventative measures).
• Consequent Strategies (legislation and enforcement measures).

Current research supports the development of littering programs that incorporate a combination of all three approaches. That principle was also embodied in the original SWSA waste management strategy.

The detailed Litter Reduction Program is available as a dowloadable PDF from the Publications section on this site.

SWSA Litter Reduction Program

The Authority believes that a 'whole of community' approach is necessary to reduce littering.

• Policy Development
  
  The Authority has contributed to a review of the Litter Act, being conducted by the state Department of Environment.
  
  
• Service Development
  
  The SWSA has surveyed its member councils to review their experience regarding the provision of infrastructure and services.
  
  
• Provision of Bins
  
  There are an estimated 2,350 public garbage bins in southern Tasmania. A number of councils noted a requirement for more bins, with the costs of provision and servicing of bins exceeding councils' financial capacity.

  With the exception of some garbage and butt bins in the Hobart CBD, facilities that cater specifically for cigarette butts are rare. The Authority has developed a prototype of an inexpensive butt bin, in conjunction with a local fabricator, and has distributed 100 of these units to its member councils as part of a regional pilot program.

  The Authority has reviewed the BIEC bin infrastructure training package and recommends this to Councils as a useful tool when reviewing any future litter hot spots or infrastructure needs.
  
  

• Preferred Service Guidelines
  
  The SWSA has incorporated useful information with respect to garbage bin design, bin placement, and servicing into its Preferred Service Guidelines for member councils.
  
  
• Signage
  
  The SWSA is installing new stick-on laminated Rubbish/ Recycling signs for public place bins throughout the region, with the assistance of BIEC.
  
  
• Public Awareness
  
  The SWSA litter reduction campaign first commenced with a radio campaign in September 2002. In conjunction with BIEC, the Authority has since formed the Tasmanian Litter Reduction Taskforce, attracting additional sponsorship from Norske Skog Boyer and Collex. The Taskforce overseas the state-wide TV campaign using BIEC's Do The Right Thing theme.

  This message is supported by information available on this website, through the Authority's schools program, and through the Authority's Public Place Recycling and Major Events Recycling programs. The 'Away from Home' recycling programs have a demonstrated effect on littering behaviour, in addition to their objectives with respect to public awareness and improved recycling yields.

  In keeping with the DWA television-based promotion and other research findings (Durdan et al. 1985; Geller 1980), the latest campaign aims to positively reinforce good littering behaviour, rather than to present negative images. It is guided by the following key messages derived from behavioural research:

  • Target age group is broad, and includes males and females.
  • Teenagers in groups are the worst litterers, but no worse than others when alone (the problem is social, not educational).
  • Children are less likely to litter, but continuing education is necessary to maintain this.
  • Cigarette butts are the most littered item, followed by food and drink containers.
  • Major reasons for littering are laziness/ indifference and the perceived lack of infrastructure.
  • Key message is that littering is the responsibility of the individual.

  The TV campaign is aired on WIN TV throughout Tasmania.
  
  

• Clean up Strategies
  
  Clean up is the last resort - evidence that more litter reduction effort remains necessary. Clean up is by council staff and contractors, with advantage taken of additional community resources such as 'Work-for-the-Dole' and 'Clean up Australia'. Street sweepers are operated by eight of the twelve southern councils, covering all major urban and regional centres.
  
  
• Performance Monitoring
  
  The BInS infrastructure tool provides some guidance with regard the evaluation of litter hot spots, however, objective data can be difficult and expensive to obtain.

  Community Change is expected to continue monitoring a limited number of locations for BIEC, using its comprehensive Disposal Behaviour Index.

  In the meantime, website statistics have demonstrated the effectiveness of the public awareness.