LITTERING BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS BASED ON SURVEY AND QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT LITTERING IN THE NAGASE RIVER

Abstract

The present study aims at understanding the quantities and types of litter in and along the
Nagase River, and analyzes littering behavior using a questionnaire. Plastic bags, including shopping bags
and confectionery wrappers, were the most frequently observed items in the Nagase River. Cigarette-related
litter (e.g. cigarette butts and packaging) and drink bottles (e.g. PET bottles, beverage cans) were the most
frequently observed types of litter on the streets along the Nagase River. The questionnaires completed by
passers-by and students in the schools and a university near the Nagase River were analyzed (N=731). The
rate of those who actually littered in the Nagase River and the streets along the river was 14%, and the main
kinds of litters were confectionary wrappers, cigarette-related, PET and glass bottles, cans, and plastic bags.
The questionnaire results were subjected to covariance structure analysis to determine factors contributing to
littering behavior. The results show that, social norms are the most important factor influencing the act of
littering, and awareness of the anti-social nature of littering in daily life is strongly related.