Litter in the United States

All three are part of a "comprehensive response to environmental violators", write Epstein and Hammett, researchers for the United States Department of Justice.

Littering and dumping laws, found in all fifty United States, appear to take precedence over municipal ordinances in controlling violations and act as public safety, not aesthetic measures.

Similar from state-to-state, these laws define who violators are, the type or "function" of the person committing the action, and what items must be littered or dumped to constitute an illegal act.

[1][2][3] A national survey of United States prosecutors noted the most important factor in prosecuting an offense was the "degree of harm" a violation posed and the "criminal intent" of the offender.

[14] This is in addition to penalties for "placing offensive substances in waters, on highways or other property"[15] which is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum fine of $6,250[13] and 12 months imprisonment.

campaign, started by the Pennsylvania Resources Council, implemented a system that rewarded citizens who were caught using proper receptacles to dispose of their trash in city streets.