Have you ever noticed one small piece of litter on the ground? While it may not seem like much, that tiny bit of trash can lead to a big problem. According to Keep America Beautiful (KAB), people are much more likely to litter if they see other trash on the ground. So once an area has a little bit of litter, more litter will appear until there is a nasty pile.
Litter doesn’t just look messy; it can actually harm animals, people, and our planet. Too much litter leads to flooding and water pollution and costs a lot of money to clean up. So that one candy wrapper on the playground can become one big problem!
Help clean it up
Since 1999, KAB has sponsored the Great America Cleanup annually and is currently celebrating its 26th year from March 20 to June 20. You can start here to find a clean-up in your state and help in your community. According to KAB, an estimated 300,000 people participated in the spring cleanup last year, removing more than 10 million pounds of litter and debris.
“Our parks, rivers, beaches, and neighborhoods belong to all of us,” said Jennifer Lawson, CEO of KAB. “Whether you pick up litter on your daily walk, rally your friends for a cleanup event, or volunteer with a local Keep America Beautiful affiliate, the important thing is to take action.”
Here are some ways you can prevent litter before it appears:
- Don’t litter! Avoid throwing gum, candy wrappers, drink cups, plastic bottles, and other items onto the ground. Instead, look for trash and recycling bins. If you don’t see them, carry your trash and recycling with you. Then, when you get to your car or home, you can put it in the right place — the trash can or recycling bin.
- Pick up litter and ensure all trash and recyclables end up where they belong. This includes litter that others drop on your lawn and in your neighborhood. When at parks and sporting events, be sure that you leave the area at least as clean as you found it — if not cleaner.
- When you take your trash or recyclables to the curb, ensure the lids are closed on the containers or carts. If your containers don’t have lids, be sure to put lightweight items underneath heavier things so nothing blows out.
- Organize a litter cleanup at a nearby school, a park, or in your neighborhood. See if a local KAB affiliate can help to supply trash bags and gloves. Pick a day and invite your friends, neighbors, teammates, and relatives. Remind everyone to wear gloves so their hands don’t get cut or dirty. If you are near a road or parking lot, wear bright or light colors or safety vests so drivers can see and avoid you. Provide bags for trash and recyclables. Remember to properly recycle or dispose of everything when you are done. And don’t forget to thank everyone for helping!
Credit: Andrii Zastrozhnov | iStock | Getty Images Plus