Litter-ology: Understanding Littering and the Secrets to Clean Public Places - Softcover

Spehr, Karen; Curnow, Rob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0994162219 ISBN 13: 9780994162212

Publisher: Environment Books, 2015

Synopsis

“Litter-ology successfully translates theory into practice. Want to know why people litter in public spaces and how this can be stopped? Read this book.” - Natacha Dobrovolsky, CSIRO Environmental Sustainability Engagement Leader WHY ON EARTH DO PEOPLE LITTER? Imagine if all our public places were clean and free of litter. The litter in parks, beaches, shops, transport stops, waterfronts and roads wouldn’t be ending up in stormwater, polluting our waterways. It would end up where it belongs, in the bin. In Litter-ology, environmental psychologists Karen Spehr and Rob Curnow share their insights gained in over 20 years working on changing people’s disposal behaviour in public places. They help us understand: • Why people litter (and why they use the bin) • Who litters and how they do it • What people say about their littering is not necessarily what they do • How social norms work to prevent littering • Personal responsibility and littering • The power of rewards and sanctions Based on up to date research evidence, Litter-ology is a highly readable guide for all those who are trying to get results in keeping their public places clean and litter free. “The most comprehensive treatise of littering behaviour ever written. Highly recommended.” - John Schert, Executive Director, The Bill Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, University of Florida. “This lively, informative book helps demystify behavior and provides smart tips and strategies for reducing litter. We’ll draw on Litter-ology for our community-focused marine debris prevention programs.” - CJ Reynolds, University of South Florida College of Marine Science, and Executive Director, International Ocean Institute-USA “Litter-ology reflects all that Keep Auckland Beautiful learned and is now putting into practice. It will be a tremendous tool.” - Iris M. Donoghue MNZM, Chairperson, Keep Auckland Beautiful "Litter-ology is easy to read, provides great insight into the complexity of human behaviours and enables the reader to develop local solutions through useful checklist questions. Anyone working in the area of public space waste management will have this book off the shelf regularly as a valuable reference tool.” - Elaine Osborn, CSIRO National Waste Reduction Project Manager “Litter-ology will be of great assistance whenever I have decided on a solution to the problem before checking my assumptions. Every disposer should read it at least once.” - Stan Moore, CEO, Australian Packaging Covenant “Narrating real-world case studies, a comprehensive and insightful conversation about the who, when, where, how and why behind littering. Practical and enlightening, an invaluable tool for anyone who’s serious about tackling litter.” - David Imrie, Chief Executive, Keep NSW Beautiful

About this title

About the Author

Karen Spehr and Rob Curnow are co-directors of Community Change, psychologists who have been working for over 20 years on changing people’s behaviour in relation to the environment. In partnership with environment protection agencies, local and state government and both large and small environment agencies in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, they have worked to reduce littering in public places and achieve changes in household water and energy saving. For their work on littering behaviour, they received an Australasian Environmental Excellency Award. Previously Karen was the founding director of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement and Rob was Senior Lecturer in community psychology and organisational psychology at Monash University. They live in Melbourne, Australia. For more about their work visit http://www.communitychange.com.au.

Edition details

• Publisher: Environment Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0994162219
• ISBN 13: 9780994162212
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160