People Do This Every Day In Idaho. It’s A $1,000 Fine Every Time
It's one of those small actions where you think to yourself "Oh, it's no big deal." Nothing will come of it, right? This couldn't possibly come back to haunt me in the future. Such a trivial thing, isn't it?
You dropped a burger wrapper on the ground. Big deal. Someone will eventually pick it up. Or a bird could use it for a nest. Or maybe there's a serial burger wrapper collector on the loose, and this is the final piece they need for their collection. Or, something else to justify your being a messy human.
Maybe you're not worried about where the waste, trash, or litter you drop goes. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Would it be more in plain view for you if you were fined $1,000 every time you littered?
How about facing up to six months imprisonment? Doesn't seem like such a small act now, does it?
Yes, those are the punishments for littering in Idaho. Per DontDumpIdaho.com:
Federal statutes specify fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment for dumping trash and debris on public land. Illegally dumped trash sites are investigated and offenders held responsible.
Littering on public or private property within the State of Idaho is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1000, with the possibility of eight to 40 hours of litter cleanup (Idaho Statute 18-7031).
You shouldn't litter because it uglies our neighborhood, our town, and our planet. You also shouldn't litter because it will cost you a ton of money, and possibly time behind bars.