Litter

Two people carry groceries in plastic grocery bags.

'Nudges' Can Reduce Plastic Bag Use Even Where Bans or Fees are Banned

Even in cities where state law pre-empts plastic bag fees, there are ways to reduce plastic waste.

December 7, 2021 - Next City

Compost Pile

Community Composting Network Launching in Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia is seeking 25 locations around the city for composting facilities that will help the city achieve its goals of zero waste and litter.

June 20, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Trash Can

Nudging People to Keep Cities Clean

Philadelphia looked at how interventions can change recycling and littering behavior.

January 8, 2019 - Apolitical

Waste Stream

U.S. Recycling Markets in Free Fall After China Pulls Import Plug

China has stopped purchasing the recyclables that millions of Americans place curbside on recycling days, upending the industry. Recyclables are already directed toward landfills as domestic markets are sought. Berkeley, Calif. may go a novel route.

May 16, 2018 - The Wall Street Journal via MSN Money

Cigarette Litter Beach

A Clever Way to End Cigarette Litter

Chicago smokers will soon be able to vote on matters of pop culture importance with their butts.

September 28, 2016 - Governing

The Litterati Impact: Cleaning the Planet One Instagram at a Time

#litterati. That's the hashtag. See a piece of litter, post it on Instagram, then throw the trash away. Simple.

November 21, 2014 - Urbanful

Baltimore Water Wheel Takes out the Trash—40 Tons since May

Part innovative urban design solution, part historic and simple design solution, the city of Baltimore's trash-collecting water wheel has been an unmitigated success at mitigating the trash in the Jones Fall River.

July 29, 2014 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Water Bottles

San Francisco Enacts Plastic Water Bottle Ban

First came plastic bags, then styrofoam cups, and now, plastic water bottles—though the ban is not as far-reaching as the former two in that it is restricted to sales on city property, including street fairs.

March 8, 2014 - San Francisco Examiner

NYC Removes Trash Bins in Subway to Curtail Litter

Greenwich Village and Queens subway stations have had their trash bins removed for the past two weeks. This counterintuitive plan was initiated 3 months ago by officials due to an "epidemic of unsightliness and malodor," writes Michael Grynbaum.

October 25, 2011 - The New York Times

A Dirty Reputation in 'Filthadelphia'

Philadelphia has long been derided for its dirty and filthy streets. This reputation has turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

August 18, 2011 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Prague Hopes to Clean Up its Public Space

With tourist season in full effect, the Czech city of Prague is hoping to clean up its notoriously dirty streets with a new ban on littering and urinating in public places.

July 6, 2008 - Ceske Noviny

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