Informal Social Influence – Family
Having family members that hold on to an approval attitude towards littering is an external factor that causes people to engage in littering behaviours. The survey carried out by NEA showed that the probability of an individual littering is higher at 2.16 if family members have an attitude that allows littering. Furthermore, when family members are litterbugs themselves, the probability of an individual being influenced to litter increased to 2.43. (Click here for result tables)
Informal Social Influence – Friends
Peer influence is another form of social influence which is significant in causing littering. When friends show an approval attitude towards littering, the probability of an individual engaging in unlawful disposing will be greater at 2.34. If the individual’s friends engage in littering behaviours themselves, the probability increases further to 2.73. (Click here for result tables)
Hence, this shows that social influences from both the family members and friends are significant and will affect one’s littering behaviour.
Place (Cleanliness) Perception
The cleanliness of the area can influence littering behaviour as people will perceive the area as one that allows littering (when area is dirty) and one that does not (when area is clean). When the cleanliness of the area is low, it creates a conflict between the injunctive norm (perception that behaviours are typically approved or disapproved) and the descriptive norm (perception of others’ behaviours) and it results in people not behaving what is right – littering behaviour occurs more prominently.
The NEA report found that areas such as the beach parks, common drains and hawker centres are those where people tend to have the perception that littering is much more acceptable.
Lack of Trash Bins
The most common reason as to why people litter is the lack of trash bin. This may not be a major factor contributing to littering problem (since most areas have bins) however, it is still one that deserves to be noted. Trash bins have to be accessible to people such that they have a place to throw their trash and not have any excuses to their littering behaviour.
Personal Experience
I have recently been to East Coast Park (area C) and realised that trash bin is not found along a long stretch of the road. As a result, litter such as plastic bottles, cigarette butts and sweet wrappers were found on the floor.