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Show Techniques Reduce Litter In Regions Municipalities and counties in Utah could cave thousands of dollars annually in sanitation costs by adopting litter reduction techniques tested in twelve U.S. cities during the past four years. William Christoffersen, regional representative, U.S. Brewers Assn., said. "Those techniques, to be offered immediately to local governments here, have enabled cities like Tampa. Fla., to reduce litter by as much as 70 percent," he added. Called Positive Litter Reduction, the program "is also a major tool for government officials in Utah to hold the line against rising costs by increasing the cost-effectiveness of cleaning streets and other public areas and by decreasing both fire and health hazards caused by litter accumulations," he added. Four interlocking components comprise the new program, he explained. They include updated ordinances, manpower and modern equipment. education, and law enforcement. Those four major components are designed "to work together and directly against the seven sources of litter which also were identified in the research," he said. "Before the field testing, we assumed that pedestrians and motorists were mainly responsible for litter," he said. "But research revealed that well over 50 percent of litter comes from five other sources"." Those five are household refuse putouts, commercial refuse putouts, loading unloading operations. uncovered trucks, and construction sites. The Positive Litter Reduction program combines the most successful methods tested at sites ranging from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Dade County, Fla., which annually has an Influx of more than 13 million visitors. "Municipal and county governments are the logical starting points because their departments are responsible for litter control methods, improved refuse handling, updated ordinances, and law enforcement,' Mr. Christoffersen said. To put the program into operation, each city will appoint an Interdepartmental Com mittee. It will include representatives from all key local government departments such as sanitation, attorney's office, building and zoning, fire, health, housing, parking authority, parks and recretion, and police. To gain public awareness for the program, an area-wide information campaign will be launched simultaneously. Using the ''Pitch In!" slogan, symbol, and educational materials, this campaign will urge, all residents to containerize their litter and support the Committee's work. Utah municipalities and counties "will gain more than economic benefits from the program," Mr. Christoffersen said. |
