Littering in the city

It’s wrong to litter. We learn this when we are very young.

These days, few people feel comfortable jettisoning an empty pop can from a car window or dropping a potato chip bag on the sidewalk, at least in front of other pedestrians. It wasn’t always the case. At one time enterprising kids could scour alleys and ditches for returnable bottles and collect sticky Popsicle wrappings to accumulate points for that elusive giveaway prize. That’s just not done any more. Yet, litter seems to blow everywhere. Empty paper cups roll across parking lots, and chip bags crowd against windblown fences. If we all know better, where is this litter coming from? You could be a litterbug without even knowing it.

Overflowing dumpsters and garbage cans are just waiting for a puff of wind to scatter paper goods casually dropped on top. The fast food wrappers you thought you put in the garbage can might beat you out of the parking lot on a breezy day! If you are in the habit of picking up windblown trash from your property you can’t help but notice how much of it is fast food wrapping.

Make sure your junk food junk doesn’t wind up on the street by generating less of it. If you are in the habit of carrying a drink with you on your daily rounds, use a proper travel mug. Your household trash could be to blame as well. It’s normal for wild animals and pets to investigate interesting-smelling garbage, tearing open flimsy plastic bags. Curb their curiosity by keeping your trash bags in covered containers. Send a message that your neighborhood or workplace is not a dumping ground by picking up trash. Even those unenlightened people who thoughtlessly toss their candy bar wrapper will think twice about doing it where it doesn’t seem like ‘everyone is doing it’. Litter is more than just unsightly. We hear stories about waterfowl becoming tangled in plastic debris. Yet, for every ‘feel good’ rescue story, how many animals die or are injured tangling with our trash? Be thoughtful about the trash you generate. What are your disposal options? Quite a bit of our daily refuse can be composted. Glass, metal cans, plastic bags, paper and cardboard can be returned to the many neighborhood recycling depots in the city.

To learn more about how to do your part contact Clean Calgary Association, at 230-1443 or online at www.cleancalgary.org