Going Green Tip for Today: Ending Littering
Littering is a huge factor in cluttering up our world with unnecessary garbage and debris, contamination of water sources, and general 'ugliness'. It is estimated that a whopping 75% of us will admit to littering within the last 5 years, which equals a lot of waste on the streets, the majority of it being containers and wrappers from fast food places. Another major source of waste comes from smokers throwing their cigarette butts and packaging out their windows while driving (which is actually something I witnessed on my way to work, likely prompting this post).
I'll admit it. Littering is a huge pet peeve of mine. When I say huge, I mean gargantuan. Not just because I've decided that living green is the goal. Not because of Earth Day. Littering is irritating because it is so pointless in nature.
If you are driving along and smoking, there is an ashtray built into your vehicle. If you're driving along and eating, chances are the meal came in a bag that can be used to once again contain the wrappers. With cities and towns wanting to go green, they have likely placed garbage cans on virtually every corner. I know that Saskatoon is like that. There are garbage bins everywhere in an effort to keep the city clean. Drive downtown and there are brightly coloured garbage cans. Drive down a back alley in a residential area, you'll find garbage bins. Go home and look under your sink and you'll probably find another!
Littering implies that you have no pride in your community, no confidence in your ability to dispose of garbage properly, and no regard for other living beings. In examining this post, I may have said "Tip for Today" in an effort to mask what may be more of a rant than anything. Here's the tip: don't litter. The planet will love you for it...and it that isn't incentive enough, I will too!
Tanya