Every KAB affiliate annually performs an objective evaluation of levels of trash in the community. Over a period of 3-4 hours a team visits a series of pre-determined sites throughout the community, and each team member scores the site for items of litter and trash. In Baton Rouge, twelve zones that cover a total area of 456 square miles are visited, using a team of four Board members and community volunteers plus a driver, with the sites based on political jurisdictions. Areas with no litter are scored as a 1, while areas with heavy litter are scored a 4, so the lower the score the better. By employing the same technique and locations each year it is possible to objectively assess improvement or worsening of litter. The affiliate score for the Baton Rouge area, averaging scores for the twelve locations, has been showing a downward trend since 2002 when measurements began.
2007 |
1.70 |
2008 |
1.54 |
Data from the Baton Rouge Litter Index are reported to KAB, which then compiles a nation-wide report.
Information on the national Keep America Beautiful Litter Index program can be found here.
