Littering as Environmental Incivility: Socio-Economic Interactions in Urban Communities in Nigeria

Abstract

In recent decades, littering has evolved from a primarily aesthetic and environmental concern into a significant ecological and economic challenge with  implications for public expenditure, urban environmental quality, and regulatory effectiveness. This study conceptualizes littering as a form of environmental incivility and examines its influence on individuals’ anticipation of incivilities and perception of crime prevalence, situating the analysis within the broader framework of ecological and environmental economics. This study also investigates how social characteristics  (age, gender and level of education) and economic factors (type of economic activities, occupational status and average monthly income) interact with littering behaviour and show wider socio-economic consequences. Using a correlational research design,  data were collected from 600 respondents across Akinyele and Ibadan North Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to  estimate the relationships among key constructs. The findings reveal significant interaction effects between socio economic variables and littering and demonstrate that increased presence of litter is associated with higher perceptions of crime prevalence, suggesting indirect economic costs related to public health risks, environmental degradation, and urban service provision. The results highlight the inefficiencies arising from weak environmental regulation and inadequate waste management infrastructure. The study recommends targeted public investment in waste management facilities, strengthened environmental institutions, and behavior oriented regulatory interventions as cost effective policy measures for mitigating environmental incivility and improving urban environmental outcomes.