We’ve all seen it: cigarette butts, fast food packaging, cans, candy wrappers, plastic bags, and other debris on the side of the road or on the sidewalk. These small amounts of litter are not only unsightly, but also harmful to the environment. Birds and other animals nibble at chip bags, storm drains get clogged, and waterways fill up with the debris. We can all be a part of the solution—litter is absolutely preventable. Consider the following litter lessons:
- If you see litter and trash in your neighborhood, pick it up and properly dispose of it.
- Head out on a walk with gloves and a bucket or bag to collect litter.
- Properly dispose of trash before it becomes litter. Always bag your garbage.
- Keep a bag with you or in the car for litter.
- Don’t neglect to pick up cigarette butts, which are not made of paper fibers but of chemicals and microplastics. While they are small and “icky” to pick up, they have a large negative impact.
- Keep garbage can lids secure. Gusty winds can scatter loose material.
- Pick up only what you feel is safe—it’s okay not to handle debris such as tissues, needles, and discarded masks.
I know many neighbors already do these things, so keep it up and join on in! Want to do more? Adopt One Block and SOLV are local nonprofits working to make a difference by engaging residents to tackle the litter problem.
As said by Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the world Scouting movement, “…leave this world a little better than you found it…”
Questions and comments welcome: elizabeth.ann.erickson@gmail.com.