Ohio’s state parks are cleaner.
The perhaps-surprising reason? State parks now have fewer places where you can dump your garbage.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has removed 372 trash receptacles in the past three years, and park managers statewide say they are seeing less trash on trails.
So the “Carry In, Carry Out” program will expand into central Ohio this spring. It applies the philosophy that if there is nowhere to throw trash out, patrons will be inclined to take care of their own waste. After three years of seeing that theory tested in action, officials believe it works.
“We’re committed to this program,” said Jim Henahan, the department’s community-partnerships program manager.
He said not having to dump trash saved the department $65,000 in 2010, and there is no plan to permanently return any of the removed receptacles. Total savings from 2011 have not been calculated.
via www.dispatch.com
I've seen this somewhat surprising behavioral result before: Take away trash receptacles and people litter less.This observed behavior seems to be at odds to what people say they would do:
Across 14 different outdoor settings in 8 states, the authors interviewed 102 disposers to examine how littering behavior is affected by environmental factors, social norms, demographic characteristics, and self-reported motivations. Observations revealed that 25% of all disposals were littered, and the most commonly littered item was cigarette butts. Participants were less likely to litter in locations with more receptacles available and with receptacles positioned so they could be easily reached.Younger participants, who reported weaker personal norms against littering, were more likely to litter. Implications of this work suggested the necessity of adequate receptacle availability and accessibility, especially cigarette-butt receptacles. In addition, antilittering campaigns were advised to direct their appeals to those most at risk for littering—targets under the age of 30.
