Thirteen neighborhoods reduced their litter scores between 2011 and 2012, according to the Keep Kansas City Beautiful (KKCB) Litter Index, an annual survey of litter in Kansas City, MO.
The city’s overall average litter score decreased slightly from 1.47 in 2011 to 1.44 this year. Using a scale of 1 – 4, with one designating “no litter” and four as “extremely littered,” volunteers evaluated 34 Kansas City neighborhood clusters.
The results of 12th annual index show neighborhoods with the most improvement are Northeast Industrial, Martin City, Chouteau, Center and Kansas City International. Neighborhoods with the highest litter scores include Old Northeast, Blue Valley, CID/West Bottoms, East Meyer and Swope Park.
Almost every street and public space has litter at one time or another. Whether it is a cigarette butt, fast food wrapper, scrap tire or mattress, the index tracks it.
The KKCB Litter Index surveys a random, statistical sample of 5 percent of all street segments in the city and maps the results using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Maps dating back to 2003 are available online at www.kkcb.org. Neighborhood residents can request the litter index for their area.
Cities, neighborhoods or residents that are interested in conducting a Litter Index may contact Kate Becker at 816-561-1061 EXT 113.
Keep Kansas City Beautiful is an affiliate of Bridging The Gap and Keep America Beautiful and involves citizens, businesses and government in creating a cleaner and more beautiful Kansas City. Keep Kansas City Beautiful is sponsored by the City of Kansas City, MO, the Johnson County Stormwater Management Commission, Kansas City Power & Light, the PNC Foundation, J.E. Dunn and individual donors.