Why do people do litter? This is a question I constantly ask myself. When I look around and see litter in on sidewalks, in flowerbeds, by the sewage gutters, or even worst outside of an empty trash can, I can’t help but cringe inside. When I drive down a main road and see a bunch of litter along the sides the embankments, I ask the question, "Why the person or people did not leave this litter in their car's until they have stopped or arrived at their destination, then throw it away properly?" Perhaps people learn how to be careless by watching others throw their trash where it doesn’t belong. It is a question that will forever baffle me.
Some of the blame could be blamed on that the local city councils, whom do not provide enough trash bins around local surrounding areas such as, in-between bus stops. I feel that even if the city took action in providing more trashcans people would still fail to comply with using them. I believe this because I have seen trash accumulated around a perfectly empty trash can at a bus bench. I find this quite depressing knowing that someone could be that lazy as to not throw their trash in a bin which is less than 5 feet away.
Photo By: Rachel Wetle 2012
I was on the website www.DontTrashAZ.com
and did a little research on how much litter is actually accumulated on our highways.
I was very astonished to find out that close to 150,000 bags are collected
annually, that total doesn’t even account for other bags being collected on a
city level.
This problem hits taxpayers in the pockets, because the
trash doesn’t magically disappear, someone has to clean it up and unfortunately
they won’t do this job for free. So please if you know someone who litters or
just littered ask them to do their part and put it where it belongs, in a
trashcan.
While I was on the website I took the pledge to do my part with not littering, if you would like to join me please use this direct link to the pledge: http://donttrashaz.com/secure-your-load/pledge-2
While I was on the website I took the pledge to do my part with not littering, if you would like to join me please use this direct link to the pledge: http://donttrashaz.com/secure-your-load/pledge-2
"Some believe that one small piece of trash won't matter, but those small pieces have added up to a giant problem" www.DontTrashAZ.com
Respectfully,
Rachel W.
I've never seen so much litter on the streets since I have moved here to Arizona. Its heart breaking to see people destroying such a beautiful area due to their lack of sympathy and common sense.
ReplyDeleteThat picture you have is something i see everyday! i take the bus and there is literally trash everywhere. Are people really that lazy when they see a trash can right next to them? So they just decide to throw it on the ground? I agree entirely with you, and have actually tired to clean one up but had someone throw their trash on the ground in front of me. I guess its just hard to change... great post
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people commenting before me also. Just like Austin, I regularly take the bus & it really is depressing to see people destroying the land in such a lazy and unthoughtful way! It just goes to show what our generation is coming to but I enjoyed reading your post & hope to see more just like it. Keep up the good work. (:
ReplyDeleteThank you to all of you for the reply. All I can say is do you part! I on an everyday basis become conscience of my trash and where it belongs, I also make it a pointer to put my recyclables where they belong as well. I know that if I continue to do the next "right thing" other will catch on (or at least I hope they will).
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI think it is horrible that this is how our state looks, although I know it could be worse. Do you think it is only the city/state's fault that this is happening? I think if more people would look around and see what you pictured above, they would be more willing to clean up after their own messes. I also think there should be maybe ads or commercials around the city and on TV showing current streets, maybe that could help motivate people as well. I wonder if this is something that stems back to childhood and some people not being raised to clean up after themselves or if this is just laziness at it's worst? So sad to see, but thank you for posting this article and bringing attention to the problem as well as the pledge!
-Libby
That was a cool read. I like that this points out how littering does effect taxpayers. I always hear people say "Lettering keeps someone employed" but really the funds are coming out of our taxes...
ReplyDelete*pledge signed*
I believe the main issue is not that people forgot that trash-cans exist all over, but people lost respect for the society and their surroundings, and they don't care about anybody except themselves. We live in a selfish society. We should all wake up, and stand for what is right.
ReplyDeleteGreat commenting, everyone! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete