Raise Fine Amount for Littering in Florida!

Littering in Florida is a huge issue. The fine amount on littering in Florida should be risen because of littering harmful impact on our drinking water, our environment, and the fact that it costs all of us money!


Did you guys know that everything you throw out of your car window can potentially lead to our drinking water? Waste that is dumped on the ground, anywhere, can lead to our groundwater, which makes up 30.1% of freshwater on the Earth, with the other two thirds being locked up in our polar ice caps. According to the United States Geological Survey, most of the water in our aquifers come from the land’s surface. Water percolates down into our aquifers first from the “soil zone”, then to the “water table” where the groundwater first occurs, and then finally into the “saturated zone”. So, if there is any pollution on the surface when it rains or if there is a flood, the pollutants from the waste can seep into our ground water. According to the United States EPA, surface waters provide drinking water for about 170 million people in the United States and groundwater provides drinking water for roughly 90 million people in the U.S. The polluted water caused by waste that was carried in groundwater reaches our public drinking systems and private wells. This poses serious health threats even after the water is filtered or if it is not properly filtered. If you truly think about it, you could be drinking polluted water or water that had once contained very harmful bacteria.


Not only does litter looks gross and displeasing, but it truly does affect our environment. Litter ranging from plastic, glass and aluminum, can cause external injury on animals, as well as accidental ingestion- then causing suffocation and starvation. Litter is also a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.


According to Keep America Beautiful, the U.S. spends 11.5 billion dollars on litter cleanup every year. As mentioned earlier, the state of Florida spends 10 million dollars to cleanup roadside litter every year. If this doesn’t upset you, it should. Littering costs all of us money. Litter removal is usually a hidden cost in employee expenses.


The current punishments for littering vary in every state, some being harsher than others. According to the NCSL, Florida punishes people who litter based on the pounds of waste. Litter less than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet can result in a fine of $100. Litter that is greater than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet and less than 500 pounds and 100 cubic feet can result in a fine of $1000 and/or imprisonment up to one year. The violator will also be required to pick up later as a form of community service.


By petitioning for an increase in the fines given to the who litter, hopefully, we can put and end to it by causing people to think of the consequences.

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