Bitter Litter-A Microscopic Concern of the Macro-environment?

Litter? Appears to be a negligible concern considering the vast global issues we face today with the climate crisis and need for clean energy, global warming and pollution, from conservation to education for sustainable development, poverty to human rights and access to justice. We are surrounded by the most critical issues of the modern world but tend to ignore that the concerns we face today have evolved from something peripheral.

From personal observations of local communities, parks, housing societies it has been obvious that littering is not taken seriously. It is often treated as a matter of insignificant concern since litter is nothing but food wrappers, disposable cups, grocery bags, straws, beverage cans, even tire and vehicle debris. Littering basically means nothing but improper disposal of waste products into the environment. We do come across people throwing away these items on the roadways, in waterways, or blowing in a parking lot casually. Why does this happen? The answer is carelessness. We think that this may hardly affect the environment around us, completely eradicating the effects on the world.

It is observed that there is a strong correlation between litter and our environment. We often tend to neglect the small things and complain about it when the issue gets huge. Litter management should be treated as a matter of critical concern as it causes serious damage to wildlife, marine-life and in the end human beings too. For instance, plastic bag knots in several aquatic and wildlife animals, causing death due to choking. These litter objects seem very attractive to the animals and they tend to swallow it causing rotting damage to their body organs.

The solution? Humans are complex beings who largely showcase selfish behaviour. We are greedy and only take actions when we see a benefit in the same. The basic ideology is that people tend to discard what is of no use to them or if they cannot find a potential benefit from them. Incentives are possibly the simplest solution to solving the litter issue

For instance, storing litter(plastic waste) that can be reused and collected from each household. On the basis of the litter collected the individuals shall be compensated or given some recognition for the good cause. Plastic waste, foam cups are multi-purpose materials which can be stored and reused. The harsh reality is that nobody cares for the environment, as long as one is satisfied with what they have they can damage the environment as much as they desire to fulfil their personal needs, neglecting the damage to other human beings and organisms.

Providing incentives is the easiest way to get people to take action. Policies , rules, government authorities’ letters are not going to be of any help if we do not start small, start at home.

Regular community drives is the next possible solution to cleaning up our beaches, gardens, public spaces from litter and creating awareness in an eco-friendly way.

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This article is written to support the Young Reporters for Environment’s Litter-less Campaign of 2020. This campaign is to create awareness on the importance of litter and waste management.