Litter Abatement Program (LAP) Survey

Our Litter Abatement Program (LAP) is dedicated to keeping neighborhoods clean and safe by addressing litter and illegal dumping. LAP includes proactive litter pick-up routes focused on removing debris from public spaces, including litter, sharps, and illegal dumping, ensuring our communities stay pristine. 
 
Your feedback through the LAP Survey is crucial in understanding litter and illegal dumping patterns in 2024. By sharing your insights, you help identify priority areas for tailored proactive routes, making our efforts more effective. 

2024 Survey Insights and Action Plan

Cleaner Streets and Sidewalks Perception

Residents in neighborhoods with an LAP route were more likely to agree that "the streets and sidewalks in my neighborhood are cleaner now than a year ago." This trend was stronger among residents who preferred a language other than English.

Awareness of RV Debris Removal Efforts

Residents who were aware of our efforts to remove debris from around RVs were more likely to agree that these efforts were successful. Explore our commitment to creating cleaner, safer streets by learning more about our efforts to remove RV debris through the work of our Unsheltered Services team.

Most Common Type of Illegal Dumping

The most commonly reported illegal dumping issue was garbage or scattered litter on sidewalks.

Biohazards in CID

Residents in the CID were twice as likely to report seeing human excrement and biohazards compared to other neighborhoods.

Overflowing Public Litter Cans

CID residents were significantly more likely to report overflowing or scattered litter around public garbage or recycling cans. Learn how we keep our communities clean by learning more about our Public Litter & Recycling Cans program.

Actionable Insights and Next Steps

1. Expand LAP Routes
   Consider expanding LAP routes to new neighborhoods, particularly those with higher reports of litter and illegal dumping. Increasing education and awareness of Seattle Clean City programs can help residents better understand available resources.
2. Enhance Public Litter Can Maintenance in CID
   Given the higher reports of overflowing litter cans in the CID, increased maintenance and monitoring in this area should be prioritized to keep public spaces clean and prevent further illegal dumping.
3. Improve Illegal Dumping Reporting
   Although 75% of residents across neighborhoods report seeing illegal dumping, only 6.45% use the Find It Fix It app to report it. Increasing awareness and usage of this app could significantly improve response times and cleanup efforts.

Next Steps:

• Update the Find It Fix It app with clearer guidance for residents on reporting issues effectively.
• Include Find It Fix It training in all outreach efforts to empower residents to report illegal dumping.
• Improve the customer service response to requests made through the app, ensuring that residents feel their concerns are being addressed promptly and effectively.

Explore all the results we've gathered from our community: 

If you have any questions or comments, please call (206) 684-5813  or email Tracy.Cramer@seattle.gov. 

If you have any concerns regarding litter, illegal dumping, or trash, you can report them through the Find It, Fix It app.

Help us keep Seattle safe and clean by reporting illegal dumping, pollution, and graffiti. You can also learn more about preventing and removing graffiti, collection of sharps, public litter cans,  and keeping alleys clear of collection containers.