Litterbug Magnets
Description: Before pull tabs became standard, beer cans were opened with a pointed can opener known as a “church key.” Though the pull-tab can was invented in 1959, it didn’t become widespread until the mid-1960s, when the convenience of removable tabs also created a major litter problem. People routinely tossed the sharp metal tabs onto beaches, sidewalks, and parks, where unsuspecting barefoot victims often discovered them the hard way. In response, beverage companies launched anti-litter campaigns, embossing tabs with “Fight Litter” reminders and the familiar string-on-a-finger icon. Public service messaging spread to stores, parks, and beaches alike. By the mid-1970s, the stay-on tab largely replaced removable pull tabs, reducing the problem.
