Litter samples are being collected to gain information about litter composition and generation. Focus groups and a telephone survey are being used to learn peoples' perceptions of littering behavior and prevention strategies. Ecology contracted with Cascadia Consulting Group of Seattle to design the sampling plan, develop a methodology, implement the focus groups and telephone survey, perform the statistical analysis, and prepare a final report. A professional litter-sorting firm, Sky Valley Associates, was hired to conduct the actual sorting activities. Ecology Youth Corps, with assistance from Department of Corrections, Department of Natural Resources and local community litter crews are collecting litter samples for the study.
Crews visit survey sites to delineate, map and measure sampling areas.
The crews initially clean survey sites, then revisit them to collect the litter that has accumulated. The process will be repeated in the fall. The litter was collected from 182 litter survey sites across the state. Litter survey samples were collected in the spring and will be collected again in the fall to examine potential seasonal differences. Then the materials will be sorted into subcategories.