Consider the scenario when you place a used coffee cup carefully under a bus bench or strategically tucks a plastic bottle under a tree. These actions, although seemingly considerate compared to outright littering, still contribute to environmental degradation. By placing the items in such a manner, the individual avoids the social stigma of littering while not fully committing to proper disposal. This phenomenon, also known as "out of sight, out of mind," reflects a mindset where individuals feel less guilty about littering if they can make the litter less visible to themselves and others. The sort of human behaviour is labelled as ‘polite littering’, the term coin by Professor Randa L. Kachef of King's College London on her work ‘Not all litter is littered: An exploration of unintentional means of public waste generation’ (Kachef et al., 2023).
Despite the impressive success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, one aspect of cleanliness that has largely been overlooked is littering in public places. In general, littering is the act of improperly disposing of waste products in public or private spaces, rather than using designated disposal methods like trash bins or recycling containers. Litter is a visible example of environmental degradation, as opposed to invisible pollutants like air or water pollution and is often seen as the initial indication of social and environmental decline. This obvious pollution highlights the urgent need for action and acts as a continual reminder of our impact on the ecosystem. Even with a general understanding of the negative consequences of littering, people still engage in this behaviour, often tactically as argues by Prof Kachef. This contradiction demonstrates the complex nature of human behaviour and the demand for more effective approaches to the problem. Understanding human behaviour (intentional and unintentional) is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat littering and promote environmental stewardship.
Intentional littering includes behaviors where individuals knowingly leave litter in inappropriate places. For instance, flagrant littering involves throwing trash directly on the ground without attempting to use a bin. Similarly, in shoot and miss cases, litter is thrown at a bin but misses, and the offender, aware of the miss, leaves the litter where it lands. When litter falls out of a bin, and the offender notices but chooses to leave it on the ground, this is another form of intentional littering. An accidental drop, noticed, where an item is dropped accidentally but the individual is aware and chooses not to pick it up, also falls under intentional littering. These behaviors highlight a blatant disregard for the environment and significantly contribute to pollution.
In contrast, unintentional littering involves scenarios where individuals do not consciously leave litter behind. For example, when litter falls out of a bin without the person noticing, often because the bin is too full or the opening is obstructed, it is considered accidental. Another unintentional behavior is the accidental drop, did not notice, where items fall from pockets or bags without the person's awareness.
Additionally, polite littering behaviours (as term coined by Prof Lachef), while still problematic, involve a more conscientious approach to disposing of waste. This includes placing litter next to a bin when it's full or obstructed, using non-bin receptacles like ledges or hedges creatively, or leaving items behind on tables or benches. In this act of polite littering, the behaviour of the individual suggests that they are aware that littering in its traditional sense is disapproved. Polite litterers choose not to throw litter on the ground yet are not prepared to commit to carrying the item home, or at least until a bin can be found. In turn, the individual places their litter in a controlled manner. While polite littering may seem more acceptable than outright littering, it still contributes to environmental degradation. It represents a grey area of semi-conscious disposal driven by a desire to avoid the social stigma of littering while not fully committing to proper waste disposal. Further, polite littering also acts as a green light to others to litter.
In urban areas of Sikkim, including Gangtok, Namchi, Jorethang, Rangpo, and Singtam, polite littering is on the rise. This trend is largely due to the inadequate placement of bins, irregular emptying schedules, and improperly designed bin capacities that fail to accommodate the maximum number of users, especially in tourist areas. The increase in polite littering has a noticeable impact on Sikkim’s environment. Plastic bottles and wrappers left on the ground eventually find their way into rivers and streams, carried by wind and rain. These items often account for mismanaged or uncollected waste that remains in the environment, causing effects that may not be immediate but become significant over time. For example, the picturesque rivers and streams, a lifeline for Sikkim, are now at risk of becoming repositories for this misplaced, politely littered waste. The river basins and sediments have also become repositories of deteriorated plastic (microplastics), exacerbating the environmental impact.
Strategically placing bins to match user needs and maintaining proactive emptying schedules can significantly reduce litter. By understanding the intricacies of polite littering and its substantial impact, policymakers, urban planners, and citizens can collaborate on more effective solutions. The fight against litter is not just about cleanliness but about fostering a more conscious, responsible, and sustainable society. Raising awareness about littering can foster a sense of environmental stewardship among citizens- they begin to understand that their actions, no matter how small, contribute to the larger goal.
Reference
Kachef, R. L., & Chadwick, M. A. (2023). Not all litter is littered: An exploration of unintentional means of public waste generation. Environmental Challenges, 13, 100756.
(Email: hari.b.sharma23@gmail.com)
