It seems that the District Department of Public Works is about to wave the white flag in the battle against litter.

In an announcement posted today on the District’s official website, DPW reminds residents that fighting litterbugs is “still an annual struggle” and asks for ideas on how to better wage the war. As a starting point, they link to a 2004 survey of litter and anti-litter efforts in New Jersey, indicating that some of the proposals may well be carried over to the District. So what exactly do we have to learn about litter from New Jersey?

First, 75 percent of those that litter deliberately on urban streets are male, aged 6 to 24, while those doing so along freeways are males aged 11 to 34. Second, and probably most important, media campaigns tend to be the most cost-effective ways to prevent littering. Paid litter pick-up programs can cost anywhere from $1.29 to $4.24 per item, while targeted advertising costs a mere $.02 per item and reduces litter by 70 percent over six years.

It seems that advertising would be most effective. But what would the ads seek to express to prevent littering? Shame? Threats of legal action? Children crying over a playground littered with broken bottles? Give DPW some ideas to work with.