The city of Wichita is working with Wichita State University on a study that will help develop ways to reduce littering across the community.

WSU’s Environmental Finance Center is working on the study, and program associate Michelle Dehaven said volunteers will be collecting and documenting litter in scheduled events at 12 locations.    She said litter will be picked up, counted, catalogued and then properly dispose of it.  The data will be studied by the Environmental Finance Center and information will be provided to local leaders and community groups.

The study will help determine the impact of trash on Wichita’s land, creeks, rivers and streams.   The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that at least 80 percent of trash in waterways comes from land-based sources, and improperly disposed trash threatens the health of drinking water, soils for farming, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems, public health and the economy.

Wichita residents are being asked to help with the study and volunteer for the collection events.   Each location will have two events.   More information is available at the web site www.wichita.edu/wichitalitterstudy    People can sign up and they will get more information on the dates and times for the collection events.