Earlier quoted context omitted.
In Japan everything is overpackaged using ridiculous amounts of plastic (more so than in Europe, for example), and yet people don't litter. I think it's important to tackle the issue from both ends.
> and yet people don't litter. I don't buy it. See CydeWeys's comments around this thread. Also, having lots of people cleaning the streets only makes it look like there's little littering. > I think it's important to tackle the issue from both ends. Sure. Thing is, tackling it from the corporate end will be ridiculously more effective than trying to instill new societal norms.
http://japantravelcafe.com/japanese-culture-2/why-the-japane...
The all-around cleanliness of Japanese mega cities comes as culture shock to people coming from other big cities in the world. This tidiness is not due to millions of tax dollars spent on street cleaners and “Let’s-cleanup-our-city” campaigns. It’s not due to effective public works or community service. It’s due to one simple thing: They don’t throw their garbage on the floor.
Ever heard the rule, "pack it in, pack it out"? Or "leave the campground better than you left it"? That means not only do you not litter, you pick up any litter in case a previous person left something.
Teaching people this when they are kids makes a real impact. It has compounding effects over time.
That said, companies should also invest more in biodegradable packaging and using much less packaging generally. Since there will always be some litterbugs and trash that gets caught in the wind or falls off a truck, etc. It should be something we tackle from both the producer and consumer ends.