I often receive emails from people asking what to do with people who litter. This is the latest email I have received and hopefully some people can respond:
‘I have a problem that maybe you could help me with. I live in GA and I have a neighbor that appears to have a mean streak and is possibly somewhat mentally off. Instead of throwing away or recycling his junk mail (newspapers and flyers) he throws them in the street. This occurs at least 2-3 times a week. One day he threw the yellow pages in the middle of the street. My husband has kindly offered to recycle these items for him; however, he is still throwing his junk mail in the streets. I have photographed this litter; however, I plan to video him in the act. Do you think this is a good way to acquire evidence to ensure that he is fined for littering? I don’t wish to cause problems for myself personally and would like to accomplish this anonymously(I am a little afraid of him anw we live right next door to him.)’
My Response
I can’ definitely sympathize with you, I have a neighbor who throws her cigerettes in front of her garage, another who refuses to recycle anything, abuses our water rationing. Dealing with trashy neighbors!
I hope I can answer this. Your neighbor is batty and I would be cautious in dealing with him. You don’t want this guy to go into ‘litter rage’ on you.
Video and pictures are the best way to ‘catch them in the act’ so you can report them to your neighborhood litter authorities.
Some other solutions:
1.) Obviously you have tried speaking with him and that doesn’t work.
2.) Call your local law enforcement, Keep America the Beautiful office, litter prevention authority to ask how to deal with him. These are all anonymous. Laws differ from state, county and cities.
3.) Ignore him and continue to pick up his trash, maybe involve the neighborhood. Perhaps you can shame into cooperation.
4.) Politely tell him you are starting a campaign to reduce his and your junk mail and will be writing to Direct Mail marketers and would he like you to add his name or write for him as well.
5.) You can also request that yellow pages are not sent to you.
Resources
Litter it Cost You (Georgia)