University student survey on unintentional litter generated by individuals.

Abstract

The results of the survey of 200 university students showed that 72% had experienced unintentional littering, such as being blown away by the wind, dropped, or misplaced, more than the 21% who had experienced littering. Plastic packaging such as confectionery and candy was the most common item experienced as unintentional littering. Experiences of littering plastic bottles were equal for unintentional littering and littering. When people noticed unintentional littering, larger items such as plastic bottles and plastic bags tended to be picked up, but when it came to individual packages such as tissue paper and candy, more than 20% either did not pick them up at all or picked them up only to the extent that they did not have to walk. The distance to pick up litter is significantly shorter for those who have experienced littering. The behavior of picking up litter is more likely to be given up due to dirt from falling on the ground, lack of time to spare, and bad weather. Although people are educated about the "no littering" policy to prevent littering, those who scatter unintentionally and do not pick up their litter are not aware that they are littering. It is also necessary to educate people to "be sure to pick up what you drop."