Littering

"Litter-Known" Facts
Research by Keep America Beautiful Inc., a national program with affiliates in over 500 communities, found that people litter because they feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as parks and beaches are public property; they believe someone else will pick up after them; and because litter has already accumulated.

Motorists and pedestrians are often blamed for litter. There are actually seven primary sources:
  • Household trash handling, including placement at the curb for collection
  • Commercial trash dumpsters
  • Loading docks
  • Construction and demolition sites
  • Trucks carrying uncovered loads
  • Pedestrians
  • Motorists
Litter is blown about by wind and traffic, or carried by water. It moves until trapped by a curb, building, or fence. Once litter has accumulated, it invites people to add more.

Penalties for Littering


Section 3 of the Hoover Litter Control Ordinance states:

"It shall be unlawful for any person to drop, deposit, discard, or otherwise dispose of litter in or upon any public or private property within the City of Hoover including, but not limited to, any street, sidewalk, park, body of water, vacant or occupied lot, except in public receptacles, or in authorized private receptacles provided for public use, or in an area designated by the state department of health as a permitted disposal site."

The fine for the first violation of the Hoover Litter Control Ordinance is $200, plus court costs. The fine for each subsequent violation is $250, plus court costs.