INDIANAPOLIS – The City of Indianapolis’s Office of Sustainability and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) have collaborated with behavior science researchers at Behavior Insights Team (BIT) to study littering in Indianapolis, collect data, and implement multiple “interventions” to change human behavior around littering. Trials on two interventions began earlier this spring and the “A Little Love Stops Litter” awareness campaign launched July 6.
A total of four data trials will be run to address pedestrian littering and the illegal dumping of large items in alleys and the public right-of-way. The remaining two trials will occur in 2022 and will be informed by the analysis of data collected during this year’s intervention trials.
This is the first dedicated research being conducted on littering in Indianapolis in the city’s history, and one of the first studies of its kind in the world.
The City and KIB partnered with IndyGo for one intervention to install signage at select bus stops earlier this spring, encouraging riders to use trash cans. The other intervention trial involved sending educational mailers to a number of households, informing residents of the heavy trash pickup services available to them in their area. In both cases, volunteers collected data to compare the test groups to a control group.
For the broad awareness campaign, A Little Love Stops Litter marketing materials are being launched on social media, in print, and on radio. The goals of the campaign include stopping litter by making responsible disposal the habitual choice for everyone. Other goals are to share easy steps anyone can take to make a difference and to encourage every resident to be a part of ending litter in Indianapolis.
During 2020, single-use plastics became even more common, the City’s Department of Public Works collected record amounts of residential trash as people spent more time at home, and many reported seeing an increase in the littering of PPE including masks, wipes, and gloves.
The City and KIB’s most recent anti-littering effort, called It’s My City, launched in 2017 with the support of Eli Lilly and Company. Over the course of three years, the campaign was designed to leverage civic pride and engage residents in the health of Indianapolis.
• Bag all loose trash in 10- to 15- gallon bags before placing in your trash cart
• Pick up one piece of trash
• Utilize heavy trash pickup days in your neighborhood
• Properly dispose of cigarette butts — the #1 most littered item in the country
• Use the City’s ToxDrop locations for household hazardous waste disposal and electronics recycling
• Re-use items whenever possible
• Keep a bag in your car to collect trash so it doesn’t blow out the windows or doors
• Carry trash with you until you locate a trash can
Commentary on Littering by Paula
Littering is my biggest pet peeve! I want to thank the man (black t-shirt and cap) I saw picking up trash in front of School 57 on east Washington last week. And shame on whoever pitched the trash out their car window or dropped it to the ground while walking. You are a Litter Bug — the lowest form of life.
While on vacation the second week in July, my daughter, grandkids and I stopped to see a family friend in Mishawaka (right outside South Bend) and it was the cleanest town I’ve ever seen. There was not one scrap of litter anywhere.
I participate in KIB’s Clean Up every spring and this year in my own little corner of Irvington six of us neighbors (only one under 60) filled the biggest dumpster I’ve ever seen. KIB provided it – get involved!
We have to set an example for our children and not litter.
