Study of Litter on Delaware Roadways

Abstract

Roadside litter has been a persistent issue in Delaware. In addition to all the efforts from volunteer programs, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) spends nearly $2 million annually for removing and disposing of roadside litter and illegal dumping. The increase in the number of people, vehicles, and products has led to an increase in certain types of litter on the roads. Additionally, the emergence of the global pandemic due to COVID-19 has drastically aggravated the problem, particularly, due to the enormous increase in the demand and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and plastic products used for packaging and take-out foods. The existing publications that address the issue of roadside litter in Delaware are few in number and scattered. The goal of this study is to present concise yet comprehensive information about the extent of these issues and the current litter abatement efforts in Delaware and to introduce suggestions for mitigating this problem. For this purpose, a collection of relevant documents, including academic and non-academic literature, have been reviewed and summarized. The issue of roadside litter is a complex problem with numerous environmental, social, and economic impacts. Further, litter and other types of debris on the roads can pose serious safety hazards for road users. Although multiple positive steps have been taken recently to tackle this issue in Delaware, more comprehensive and effective strategies need to be established for boosting the current measures. Some major areas for improvement include, but are not limited to, enhancing education and public awareness programs, encouraging volunteer campaigns, establishing more effective law enforcement methods, and improving the disposal facilities.