Combating Litter

Close your eyes while you read this first paragraph. Imagine yourself alone in a serene forest, near a small stream. The cool, pristine water flows by, gurgling and lapping at your submerged toes. You lean back and place your hands on the soft moss that is everywhere, cushioning you as you enjoy the scenery. A small bird lights in the tree branch above your head and serenades you with a tune that could pass as Beethoven’s 9^th: “The Ode to Joy.” Sunlight filters down through the bright green foliage and dances above the stream, producing better entertainment than any Hollywood studio ever could. In an instant the sunlight disappears, the whole forest darkens and a flash of lightning strikes nearby. The bird’s song is off key and it begins to sound like a dirge. The moss you are resting on has lost its softness and sharp rocks seem to be pushing themselves up through the moss. And in the previously pure water a milk jug floats along, passes you by, bobbing as it goes. As the jug rounds a bend in the stream and vanishes from your view, the sunlight returns, but it’s not playful like it was. The bird continues to sing, but the song is now an ordinary tune with no composition. After moving your backside and hands, the moss is still soft, but you’ve got sharp little indentations in your palms. The stream endlessly babbles along, however you can see a slightly discolored path in the middle of the stream where the jug traveled. Okay, open your eyes.

How did this scene go from idyllic to unpleasant so quickly? I’m no expert in these matters, but I would argue that the jug in the water elicited the less than peaceful responses of nature. Litter tends to do that. Ruins beauty and tranquility within seconds. Think about it. How many times have you been out in the woods, wondering if any other human has ever trod the same path as you, and you’re quickly answered with a beer can or sardine tin? Suddenly you’re extremely aware that you’re not the only one that wanders about in the forest. And not only can you not imagine that you’re exploring an undiscovered paradise now, but someone else tainted the purity of that paradise long before you ever arrived.

Believe it or not, there are people in this world, even in your own community, who cannot read. What’s more unbelievable is that there are people in this world who can read but refuse to do so. These people will walk right past a sign stating “Pack Out What You Pack In,” and drop their granola bar wrapper wherever they please. It’s really quite sad that they have so little regard for others who would like to enjoy the uncontaminated version of a trail. Unfortunately these people will have children who will learn from their example and carry on the terrible tradition.

Fortunately there are people in this world who care about such matters, and hopefully you are one of them. Though we cannot always catch the litterbugs in the act, we can take an active role in providing a more beauteous experience for those who come after us by simply picking up the offending bits of trash ourselves and disposing of them properly. Consider carrying an ordinary plastic grocery sack or garbage bag with you next time you take a walk or do anything outdoors. You don’t have to adopt a highway to clean up garbage near a road. Just do it. Perhaps those inconsiderate litterbugs will see you cleaning up the trash they threw out their car window last week and think twice before doing it again.