Look around and you’ll see the ugly truth.
Litter is everywhere.
We as a society — at least we Americans — find it too easy to improperly dispose of trash. It’s less difficult to drop it on the ground than it is to take 10 steps to the closest garbage can, dumpster or trash receptacle.
We as drivers don’t consider it a personal responsibility to keep a trash bag or small can in our vehicles, so we throw our wrappers out the window.
We as health enthusiasts find it too time-consuming to carry our empty plastic water bottles with us following an invigorating walk or run; instead, we leave them standing on benches or curbs, or we simply toss them into the grass.
We as on-the-go fast-food eaters abandon our paper bags, cups, used napkins and dirty utensils on picnic tables, sidewalks and parking lots.
We as tobacco users think nothing of nonchalantly flinging our cigarette butts out the car window and leaving unsightly stashes of small white cylinders at busy intersections or roadsides, or even near the doors of public buildings.
Obviously, not everyone is guilty of this indiscriminate trashing of our neighborhoods, our community, our state and even our country. Many make it a conscientious practice to pick up after themselves and not to carry about the aggravating attitude of, “Somebody else will pick it up ... somebody who gets paid to do that kind of thing.”
The frequent litterer makes no excuses for leaving his filth behind; he just does it.
The occasional litterer cites the argument, “I tried to find a trash can, but there were none anywhere around. It’s not my fault. They should provide barrels for our trash.”
The not-on-your-life litterer bags his trash, carries his empty cups and bottles, and will even take the time to pick up after others who don’t share the same convictions.
Which are you? Do you litter frequently, occasionally or never? Do you pick up after others? Do you pick up after yourself?
We know this sounds preachy, but senseless littering is a problem, and it is a morosely sad commentary on the human race.
Perhaps this came to mind over the weekend after seeing a community playground disgraced with blowing litter from corner to corner. Perhaps it disturbed us upon eye-witnessing an empty can, a paper bag and soiled napkins being tossed from the window of a moving car. Perhaps it annoyed us just one too many times watching a cigarette butt being stamped out on a public sidewalk.
Organizations are working hard to overcome this people debacle. One such group is Cleveland/Bradley County Keep America Beautiful. Just a few days ago this quality-of-life-friendly group recognized the efforts of several companies and two individuals who make it a practice to combat this trashing of our land.
Public Education Awards were presented to the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Utilities, the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, East Tennessee Radio Group and WCLE Mix 104.1. Business of the Year went to Schering-Plough Healthcare Products (Merck). The Environmental Education Award was given to Elsie Yates, and Linda Melton was named Volunteer of the Year.
These companies and individuals are taking the right steps.
We do hope others will follow.
