Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | G | Georgia Journal of Science

Quantitative analysis of litter composition in a Historic Macon neighborhood experiencing revitalization.

Article Excerpt
This report summarizes the result of a neighborhood litter cleanup organized by the lead author with the assistance of the Beall's Hill Neighborhood Association, Mercer University, Historic Macon Foundation, and the City of Macon, GA. The primary author utilized Biostatistics students (coauthors) to lead a data collection activity. First, interpretive data were obtained that include the composition of trash (frequency count of 5 litter subtypes) at 5 separate locations found in Beall's Hill Neighborhood selected due to their high densities of detritus. These locations were identified following preliminary surveys of the entire study area. Selected localities demonstrated high amounts of garbage and were either found on vacant lots, along roads, or along several such contiguous properties. The null hypothesis that litter composition would be homogenous among all high density locations was rejected. Second, descriptive statistics recording the total number of trash bags filled and the weight of each bag were also recorded. A cleanup rate was calculated summarizing worker productivity at 17.2 lbs./person/hour. These results enable an evidence-based approach for developing litter abatement measures in this community.

Keywords: Litter, Neighborhood Cleanup, Macon, Mercer University

INTRODUCTION

The presence of garbage in communities is a natural outcome of residential living. Wherever individuals choose to live, waste is generated and discarded. The initial organized collection of these wastes in the United States has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin where in 1792 individuals were charged with their removal from living spaces in Philadelphia (1). The contents of residential garbage have changed considerably as modern materials and packaging have been introduced for public consumption. These materials often have a much longer lifespan than the mostly organic wastes of Franklin's eighteenth century America. As such, their discard as litter which has not been collected and removed, has greater consequences for our living spaces. Letter can be properly defined as any item disposed of improperly (2). Unfortunately, as many items are overpackaged and made for one use only, littering has become commonplace.

This report summarizes the result of a neighborhood litter cleanup organized by the lead author with the assistance of the Beall's Hill Neighborhood Association, Mercer University, Historic Macon Foundation, and the City of Macon, GA. The activities took place on a single morning in March 2007 for approximately three hours. In order to integrate two educational focipromoted by Mercer University, scholarship and social service, the primary author utilized Biostatistics students (coauthors) to lead a data collection activity. Two separate subtypes of data were collected. First, interpretive data were obtained that include the composition of trash (frequency count of 5 litter subtypes) at 5 separate locations found in the neighborhood selected due to their high densities of detritus. It is hypothesized that litter composition will be homogenous among all high density locations within this neighborhood. Second, descriptive statistics recording the total number of trash bags filled and the weight of each bag were also recorded.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A Macon, GA neighborhood in close proximity to Mercer University has been targeted for renovation and revitalization. As part of this effort the neighborhood, referred to as Beall's Hill, was the subject of a community wide litter cleanup. Figure 1 depicts a street map of Beall's Hill with selected regions of interest highlighted. These regions were identified due to relatively dense accumulations of litter. It is unclear how long these locations accumulated letter. They clearly stood out within the neighborhood as spaces suffering a greater amount of neglect when compared to the rest of the lots and roadways. These localities were sampled while recording frequency count of litter items belonging...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!