It’s ironic that we still have to address littering in the 21st century, at a time when we’re battling to preserve the very existence of the planet. As unbelievable as it is (unless you look around at sidewalks and streets), littering has long been a blight to society and continues to be one.
Most of us are appalled at the very thought. Every green-minded person should recoil at the notion of showing such a lack of respect for our environment. Evidently, ‘green-minded’ people are not the only ones on the planet. Litterbugs are a life-form also found on earth, and the only thing they recoil at is having to pick up after themselves.
Why does such a mentality still exist? Those who litter have no sense of ownership for the area they are spoiling. After all, it’s not their home, so who cares? (It might be scary to actually see their home!) Feeling a sense of stewardship for the earth, especially local surroundings, is something foreign to the litterer.
Most cities have street-side garbage disposals at regular intervals, but it seems some have the need to immediately disengage themselves from whatever they are holding the moment they take the last slurp. Couldn’t they hold on to that garbage for another five feet and put it where it belongs? We’ve also all heard of cyclists getting garbage dumped on them from car windows while waiting at red lights.
Adopt-a-highway programs have been designed to allow volunteers to clean up litter along freeways. We may have to adopt every street and sidewalk too, to battle the never-ending stream of litter. Or better yet, perhaps we should adopt the litterers, and start at the beginning, teaching them childhood basics on how to be a responsible citizen of a community, and of the planet.
Although most municipalities and provinces have fines ranging from over $100 for littering to thousands of dollars for illegal dumping, the problem persists, probably because not many offenders actually get penalized. Unless they feel it where it hurts – the pocketbook – litterers will continue in their selfish, thoughtless course.
Because of the burden littering places on already over-taxed city centers, many municipalities have litter prevention programs in place. But what about littering outside urban areas, out in the open, pristine rural areas of the country? Here too, litterbugs leave their mark, a mark that is perhaps much more visible in the midst of natural beauty. In the city, litter tends to blend in with the busy urban landscape. This is not the case on forest trails or in national or provincial parks.
Besides ruining the ‘ambiance’ for others by causing an unsightly eyesore, litter can also break down over time and leach into the soil, harmfully affecting the environment. Littering also poses a threat to wildlife. Animals may eat and be poisoned by trash or choke on litter left behind by people who are out in the wilderness to do what ? Enjoy nature? Would these individuals go to a friend’s home and simply throw empty water bottles and other refuse on the floor? Hopefully not, for their sake. When out in the wilderness, they fail to realize they are in someone’s home – the habitat of numerous species of wildlife and complex ecosystems. Just because a bear doesn’t realize that they’ve desecrated his home and rip them to shreds, they feel they can get away with it. (Unless they try taking his salmon)
Not only is littering a bane to those of us who enjoy being in clean, tidy surroundings, it’s amoral and irresponsible. But the implications of such a mentality are even more dire. If people don’t care enough to avoid strewing their trash all over, how will they care enough to live in a sustainable way to preserve the planet?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Addressing litter is one of the clear challenges for the future. This becomes even more relevant when looking at “trash islands” that have developed in the ocean in a relatively short time. I have been involved in several organized cleanups that involved young green minded people. It becomes clear that unless the community is involved and makes it a priority to combat litter, the litter will return once the “Greenies” leave. My hope is in the children who will influence their friends and make it known that litter is not cool!
@iansanchez4
That’s a very good point Ian. It all starts with children. When young people receive the proper guidance from parents, guardians, and friends it can be a powerful first step in their “green” education. In turn, those ideas are contagious and children will pass that information on the their peers. It all starts at home!