Treat littering like traffic fines, okay?

The phenomenon of 'garbage dumps' after festivals has become a pressing issue for many people. How to completely cure the problem of littering?

All kinds of garbage are scattered everywhere on Ton Duc Thang Street (in front of Bach Dang Wharf, District 1) - Photo: NGUYEN KHANG

As reported: The high-altitude fireworks display to welcome the new year 2025 brought a joyful atmosphere to the people of Ho Chi Minh City. However, after the New Year's Eve moment, a sad problem reappeared: garbage was everywhere.

According to reader Phuong Lan, the littering problem will continue to happen if there is no effective solution.

The following is this reader's opinion sent to Tuoi Tre Online.

Crowd psychology effect

Nowadays, many people are always aware of not littering and they follow the regulations on waste disposal from personal items and participate in community activities responsibly.

There were many beautiful images after the festival such as students voluntarily collecting trash.

After finishing their soft drink bottles, the boys and girls kept them in their hands throughout the festival and then brought them home to throw them in the trash can according to regulations...

But how many people in the community do these positive actions reach?

It is also the result of the current crowd psychology syndrome. Psychologists call this phenomenon "social proof".

When joining a crowd, they act spontaneously according to their personal preferences, sometimes without discipline. Many people see others doing it and follow suit, the very act of juggling, leading to "throwing things around" also causes infection.

Being different will get you "noticed"

Some people see others littering and also litter, because they think there is a force to collect the trash and no one gets punished.

In some families, the education of children is also the cause of this phenomenon. Parents always educate their children to be neat, tidy and clean.

However, they are the ones who litter first, setting a bad precedent for their children. How can adults convince the young generation when they eat, smoke, and spit at the same time?

Many children are infected with bad habits from their grandparents and parents, causing them to also form these habits in the community.

One time no one reminded, the next time is the same. There are experiments showing that if a certain location is cleaned, it seems like no one throws trash, however in another location (even if it is solemn), if there is trash, other people will also throw trash there and the amount of trash increases every day.

In countries like Singapore, Japan... adults pay great attention to teaching, guiding and setting an example for children. Why are children so self-disciplined? Because that is the method of the adults themselves.

Fines for littering like traffic fines will cure littering.

In recent days, witnessing motorbike and car drivers strictly obeying traffic laws, stopping properly at red lights, I believe that severe penalties will be a measure to prevent littering.

Complying with regulations to avoid fines makes one realize the saying "money goes with the gut".

In addition, severe punishment, flexible combination of persuasion, education by creating situations, and setting examples so that good behaviors come from the heart and consciousness will contribute to multiplying civilization and gradually eliminating bad habits.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tri-nan-xa-rac-bua-bai-nhu-xu-phat-giao-thong-duoc-khong-20250104095856436.htm