Seattle's Litter Abatement Program (LAP) is sweeping through the city, having pushed past its pilot phase origins to now tackle the streets with a hefty track record under its belt; since 2016, the initiative has been roping in local squads, businesses, and everyday folks to clean up the mess – and it seems their hands have been full. As the Seattle Clean City Community Impact Report shows, by December 2023, LAP had scraped up almost 2 million pounds of illegally dumped items and other trash off public lands, revealing an almost Herculean effort from the city.
The program's humble roots in 2017, focusing initially on four underserved communities, bloomed into a citywide gig by 2019, and the pandemic year 2020 saw LAP stretching even further with ten new routes laid out to ensure Seattle kept its sparkle, even behind the masks; this expansion was fueled by an increase in program funding. From picking up litter, erasing graffiti, to hauling away the odd piece of bulky refuse like couches and defunct fridges that found their sidewalks, LAP has been on the frontlines, partnered with the hands-on service provider, S. Elmgrove LLC, the LAP has been a bulwark against the city’s descent into disarray.
But their work isn't just about cleanup. LAP is a strong believer in prevention being better than cure, investing in outreach and education to make sure businesses and residents are up to speed on the nitty-gritty of waste management, from the scraps left after lunch to the ins and outs of recycling, ensuring an all-round clean public space. Amidst the daily battle against litter, high-traffic spots still suffer from nonchalant littering – papers, food wrappings, bottles, even doggies' remnants that some dog walkers think acceptable to abandon – these all add up, filling corners and curbs with clutter and adding to the workload of LAP's already busy schedule.
But it's not all by the book cleanliness – the program has its challenges. Some Seattleites see the robust cleaning schedules as an invite to offload their unwanted items, relying on the city's muscle to rid them of their oversized castoffs, according to the program's reports. Illegal for sure, but it happens, and more so, it mirrors the constant education needed to mend the mindset that public spaces are an extension of private waste bins. And then there are those property and business owners, either none the wiser or turning a blind eye to the cleanliness they are legally responsible for, around their buildings, the LAP’s report detailed.
The LAP is rolling up its sleeves for another year of tidying, with the Seattle Clean City Community Impact Report vouching for both the wins and the ongoing tug-of-war with litter. It's a communal effort, and for a city known for its natural splendor, it's a cause worth getting behind to keep Seattle a gem worth admiring – without having to sidestep yesterday's lunch on the sidewalk.
