Conclusions

=__**Title and Thesis Question:** __= ====**What types of garbage(including recyclable items) are found along the trails and within the picnic areas of Flat Rock Brook? Is there anyway to improve the garbage and recycling program at Flat Rock Brook?**====  **Abstract: **




Flat Rock Brook is a nature sanctuary located off of Jones Road in Englewood, NJ. This watershed is not only has hiking trails, but also is a host for youth programs and environmental activities. The park has two distinct picnic areas. Around these picnic areas, there are both garbage and recycling cans. Refer to the following pictures:



What effect does litter have on our environment? In order to answer that question and make it relevant to our project, one must consider the sources and effects of litter. What are the top ten primary sources of litter?

(i'm just pasting this here until i can go through it ) Reference:http://www.consumer.gov.tt/tips/2005/effectsoflittering.html

__10 Primary Sources of Litter:__

 * 1) Pedestrians dropping garbage in the street or drain.
 * 2) Motorists/passengers discarding garbage out of windows.
 * 3) Uncovered loads – items that are not secure can easily be blown out of trailers and cause roadside littering.
 * 4) Household refuse disposal and collection. Animal Scavengers and the wind can dislodge unsecured items placed out on the roadside for collection. Litter can also be caused from overloading containers.
 * 5) Commercial refuse and disposal. Poorly secured commercial refuse can easily become litter.
 * 6) Construction projects. Litter can come from uncontrolled building waste and workers’ lunchtime breaks.
 * 7) People at leisure.
 * 8) Entertainment events. Events create a large amount of litter, which can overflow onto neighbouring areas when measures to control it are not carefully planned.
 * 9) Illegal dumping.
 * 10) Intentional/habitual littering, for reasons such as laziness or acts of rebellion.

__Effects of Littering__
Litter can cause a whole range of problems for everyone in the community. Litter discarded in streets and parks can travel through the water system to our rivers and oceans where it can cause harm to wildlife. Litter costs money – Removing litter from the environment costs everyone money. Litter is a threat to public health. Litter attracts vermin and is a breeding ground for bacteria. Items such as broken glass and syringes can be a health hazard in public areas. Litter can be a fire hazard. Accumulated litter and carelessly discarded cigarette butts are potential fire hazards. Litter looks bad. It negatively affects the image of places, especially tourist locations. Litter attracts litter. It sends out a message that people do not care for the environment and that it is acceptable to litter. Litter can harm or kill wildlife. Plastic can choke/suffocate birds and marine life. Carelessly discarded containers can trap small mammals. Litter hams our waterways. Organic matter, such as “dog droppings”, leaves and grass, pollutes our waterways. We must remember that we should not be selfish in our actions and understand that our actions will have effects on future generations. Therefore, it is up to us to preserve our environment, not only for ourselves but also for the generations after us.

http://www.recycle.ubc.ca/litter.htm

Flat Rock Brook's Present Disposal Program
 * Large Garbage Bins with heavy metal lids that are chained on to prevent animal inteference
 * Large Blue Recycle Bins with small holes for openings


 * Materials:**
 * 2 sets of Latex Gloves(Multipurpose Disposable Greenbrier International Inc.)
 * One Samsung Bathroom Scale
 * One Flat Rock Brook Nature Trail Map
 * One Samsung SYNC A150 Celluar Camera Phone
 * One Mead One Subject Notebook
 * One Bic Black Pen


 * Methods:**

California EPA Water board Trash Assessment Method

__Collected Data__ - Day One of Collecting November Picnic Site 1 Recycling Bin water bottles ( with caps juice bottle Garbage Bin Playground Site Recycling Bin Garbage Bin Restroom Garbage Bin Trail
 * Results:**

- Day Two of Collecting March Picnic Site 1 Playground Site Restroom Trail

- Day Three of Collecting May Picnic Site 1 Playground Site Restroom Trail


 * Discussion:

Suggestions for Improvement of litter removal:**
 * According to New Jersey Garbage and Recycling Collection Program, are our suggestions realistic?

Conclusions

 * References:**