Houses for sale in littered neighborhoods usually don't get the best prices and owners lose money. Fires started by dropped or dumped litter costs millions of dollars of damage every year. And every year, it costs us more and more to get the litter picked up - money that could be better spent on other projects. Litter is illegal. Most people are unaware of littering fines.
Most localities also have fines for businesses or pedestrians caught littering.
Many people are unaware the person leaving the store opening a package of gum and dropping the paper on the sidewalk, is doing an illegal act and if caught, could face charges. Littering is against the law. Litter hurts people. Every year in Virginia, there are about 2,500 vehicle accidents caused by litter. People in these accidents are injured and sometimes even killed by litter.