"In order to increase awareness to those in attendance, the Iowa Cubs teamed up with the waste removal industry to offer a "trash dash" during the middle of a selected inning throughout the season to promote a litter free event... By increasing awareness, the trash accumulation at the end of the night decreases, therefore, decreasing the time spent on picking up the trash after the game."
- Tom Greene, Director of Stadium Operations

Attendance at all forms of events has generally included with it the attitude by participants that material/food and other forms of litter can be disposed of by dropping them on the floor or ground without the need to dispose of the litter in waste or recycling receptacles. The theory is that this form of littering transfers or is "trained" into the public encouraging increased litter levels.

The cost of "clean up" after events is significant, in terms of time, effort and money.  It is a cost that can be reduced with reasonable expenditures of time and dollars by site administration/management. Events can become "litter free" just as many are "smoke free."

In essence - this is clearly a case in which an "ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure!"

Litter-Free Programs (watch this list grow!!!)

Ankeny Summerfest Parade
Covered Bridges Festival - Winterset
Des Moines Arts Festival
Drake University
Iowa Cubs
Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
Iowa State Fair
University of Iowa - Student Public Relations Society

Litter-Free Event Guidelines
Moving Toward "Litter-Free" Events

"Walk Your Butt to the Can" Poster (free download)

"This is Litter Too" Poster (free download)