The discarding of trash is a societal and cultural practice that the United States doesn’t exactly excel in. While Americans will likely never replicate the behavior of the Japanese, who are known for their extreme cleanliness (Japanese residents typically don’t leave the house without a small plastic bag for their daily waste), U.S. citizens have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to properly disposing of trash.

As a property owner, you need to do everything you can to keep your property clean, and that starts with making sure your tenants use the trash cans you have on your property.

Why Do People Litter?

To solve the problem, we have to address why people litter in the first place. Littering is a personal choice, and there are a number of reasons why people do it. First and foremost, littering comes down to the values of the person. Many people don’t think littering is wrong, especially in a public area. They just assume that it’s someone else’s problem or job to clean up after them. Unfortunately, these people could not be more wrong. Nearly $11.5 billion is spent each year to clean up litter.

One way to combat this is to have plenty of trash receptacles around. Even if someone doesn’t think littering is wrong, if it is convenient for them to dispose of trash properly in a trash can, they will. If there are no trash cans in the area, or if an area is already full of litter, individuals sadly might not see a problem with adding “just one more piece” of litter.

Getting Tenants to Use Trash Cans

Eventually, the problem of litter gets out of control. What starts with a few pieces of litter can snowball into a gigantic mess. It is important to do everything you can to encourage individuals to properly dispose of their trash. Below are a few ideas for how to do it.

Place Trash Cans at Transition Points

Try moving your trash cans. The best placement for your trash can is one where people use it the most. Think about the “transition points” around your business or property—mainly, the entrances around and within your building. Thinking about how and when people use trash cans can help you place them where they’ll be used more frequently. No need to get feng shui about it, just move ’em and see what happens.

Add Trash Cans to Encourage Good Habits

Having trash cans more readily available makes it easier for people who might otherwise rationalize littering with: “They don’t have any trash cans around here!” Simply adding a few trash cans can make a world of difference.

Employ Colorful Trash Cans

Colorful trash cans are easy to find and source, and they stand out, drawing the eye’s attention. Sometimes, people litter simply because they don’t see a trash can, so by purposely using eye-catching trash cans, you can help ensure your tenants will see and use them.

Use Signs or Novelty

A simple sign that says, “Thank You for Using the Trash Cans,” whether handwritten and attached to the can or a nearby wall, or a professional sign posted near the can, can get the job done. If you’ve got a big problem on your hands, you can try to “gamify” the process by making it fun or at least by adding some novelty.

Keep Your Space Clean and Well Lit

Since “litter begets litter,” keeping visible trash, dirt, and grime out of your spaces will help prevent future litter and litterers from proliferating. The cleaner the space, the less likely people will litter. Litter also tends to collect in dark areas—it’s easier to misbehave when no one’s watching. Keep areas well-lit, and the otherwise careless community members may think twice about littering.

Make Your Clean-Up Plan

People litter for a variety of reasons, but by using simple tactics, you can encourage trash can use and keep your property clean. Even if your property is already experiencing a fair amount of litter, it’s never too late to start fighting the problem. A quick cleanup, a new plan for the best trash can locations, and a small investment in additional trash cans and signage can have big benefits.