Are there ever circumstances where it’s justified to throw litter from a car?

[AmyDances]

Every time I go out for a walk near us, I end up coming back pissed off. The verges along the roads are covered in litter – bottles, cans, fast food packaging, and I’ve seen dirty nappies. It’s even worse on the big roads. It’s disgusting and completely unnecessary.

I just don’t understand the mentality. Who thinks, “Oh, I’ve finished my drink, better lob the bottle out the window”? Or “I don’t want this bottle of piss / dog poo bag / dirty nappy in my car for a second longer so I’ll drop it for someone else to pick up.”

So, AIBU to think people who litter like this are just total cf? I just don’t know how they can have so little respect for their environment or other people who have to deal with their mess.

In my town you quite often see people pick up the odd crisp packet or bottle and carry it to the bins. These are just normal shoppers walking around.
We also have the groups of volunteers and I am in my estate litter picking group

Yes, I think this is true. They grew up watching their parents chuck litter, they now do it themselves and probably several of their friends do too. Their kids see it and it doesn't even register that it's a disgusting anti-social habit.

I do litter-pick, and my theory is that it must be the same people dropping litter in the same place, week after week as the brands and items are recurring.

No. They're all thick scum.

I once reported the car in front for doing this. The traffic was queuing at roadworks and I got a photo of the litter next to the car. It was enough for the council to pursue them. They wrote and thanked me.

I pick up litter when walking on my own and as a part of two litter picking groups and totally agree with this.

Thatchers cider, McDonald, Coke, Costa, Monster energy drinks ..always the same crap, always the same places.

Vapers, smokers and people who get a meal deal because it's cheaper and then throw what they couldn't eat and drink plus all packaging out of the car. These are the people who litter around my way.

Well given that people piss in a cup and throw it into the crowd at a concert, nothing will surprise me!

No excuse, ever.

But your post takes me back, OP. In the old days people used to chuck cassette tapes out of cars when the tapes jammed or broke. You used to see loads of brown cassette ribbon by the sides of roads. That and, for some reason, shoes.

Nowadays I think it’s mostly takeaway food and coffee containers.

Live hand grenade?

So you'd leave the puke for someone else to deal with. That's disgusting.

I will admit if I'm near a grass verge and it's something biodegradable eg apple core or banana skin I would consider it. Nor if it was a tin/crisp packet etc.

No. People with no class.

Worse offenders I’ve seen are hgvs parked up and vans chucking it out. Always men yet again.

Had a satisfying moment when I saw a guy in a convertible chuck a half full red bull can into the grass as he sped past. Luckily it was near where I live and I recognised the car, so I went to pick the can up and put it on his seat while he was in the shop 🤣

I only do apple cores/ peach pits

The only" bone I've been able to throw here is that one time (seriously one time) I opened the windows and the rubbish which had been on the seats blew out. Learned that lesson and am now more aware/keep my wrappers in something wherever possible. However the likelihood that this is the case with even 5% of the litter on the side of the road feels very slim.

Still doesn't make it acceptable, just that's the only time I've ever had a 'oh maybe that's how some litter gets out!' moment. Also sometimes there are bins in lay-bys which get over filled and then the litter blows out. Again, can't imagine this is responsible for a large percentage of what's on the verge, but it's got to be at least some.

I live on the coast. You should see the beach every day. It's vile.

No. There’s no excuse and that includes those throwing the remains of fruit. It’s still littering and you shouldn’t be doing it!

I wish someone would do a study about the mentality because it’s so baffling. I also don’t get why people don’t pick up litter outside their own house - yes, you may not have dropped it but do you want to live in a shit tip environment?

Ugh it annoys me so much. How frigging hard is it to hold on to it until you find a bin? Surely they teach this in schools? So why do people think nothing of it?

Never. I would have litter louts publicly flogged. I hate them fervently.

No, I would hope it would decompose like all other organic matter.

Not unless it's a live grenade with the pin pulled out.

Absolutely not, infuriates me driving down country lanes nearby that are littered with plastic bottles, cans, McDonald’s packages.

YANBU

I cannot bear littering

Probably invariably the same people who allow their dogs to shit everywhere and not pick up

If like to know what the 1% who think you are being unreasonable think that...