What is litter? It simply is trash put in the wrong
place, in a place where it doesn't belong.
Trash can belong any number of places - in the garbage can, in the
recycling bin, in a reuse facility, at the sanitary landfill or the
waste-to-energy plant. Where it does not belong is on the ground, in the rivers
or oceans or blowing in the air.
Litter originates from SEVEN major sources. Four
are stationary sources where people live and work - household trash collection
areas, business trash collection areas, business and industrial loading docks
and construction and demolition sites. Three are moving sources - uncovered
trucks, motorists and pedestrians.
Although there are many reasons given for littering, two of the
most common are not having a disposal container available and being too lazy to
walk to the recycling or trash container. Although most people will agree
litter is ugly, most do not know it has economic, legal and environmental
repercussions as well.
Litter
is ugly. No one likes to
live where there is litter. Neighbourhoods with a litter problem usually have
higher crime, lower property values and less pride in their neighbourhood.
Litter begets litter. A place that is littered tends to encourage more litter
i.e. a dropped off washing machine soon encourages other debris and a dump site
is formed. So, the quicker dropped litter is picked up, the less chance it has
of accumulating.
Litter
is also expensive. Every year, governments spend millions of shillings cleaning up
litter. Houses for sale in littered neighbourhoods usually don’t get the best
prices and owners lose money. Fires started by dropped or dumped litter cause
millions of dollars of damage every year.
Litter is illegal. Kenyans are
unaware of littering fines. In Pennsylvania, if you are caught littering from a
vehicle, you can be fined up to $300 (KES 26580).
Most localities also
have fines for businesses or pedestrians caught littering. Littering in Kenya should
perhaps be made a serious offence punishable by such hefty fines as it will be against
the law. This will enable Kenyans and make them aware that opening a package of
gum and dropping the wrapper on the sidewalk is doing an illegal act and, if
caught, MUST face charges!!! Maybe then, the country will be cleaner.
Litter
hurts people. Young children fall on litter in playgrounds, get cut and need
medical attention. Litter also harms plants and degrades natural areas. When
garbage is dumped, it can kill or stunt plant growth. Few people think about
the harm to natural areas from litter.
Litter
kills or injures animals. Many small animals crawl into bottles or jars and get stuck and
slowly starve to death. Animals get caught in plastic six pack rings, plastic
bags, fishing line and a multitude of throwaways. Birds that are stuck can’t
fly away from danger. Sometimes animals caught in six pack rings are strangled
as they grow too big for the opening. Animals get cut, infected and die. Every
year, millions of birds, fish and animals die from litter.
Litter
is a problem that can be controlled. Education is an important tool. People who are aware of the
dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash the
correct place. They also spread the word to others they see littering and teach
them to dispose of garbage the right way. Community clean ups encourage people
to take pride in their community and keep it clean. Quick removal of litter
keeps it from growing into an unmanageable dump site. People can make a
difference. Litter can be conquered.
MYTH: Litter control is not important.
FACT: Litter may not be the most dramatic or exciting of the many
problems that threaten the quality of our environment, but it is a problem
which affects everyone in the community
MYTH: Only "certain types" of people litter.
FACT: "Litterbugs" can be found among people of every age,
sex, race and ethnic origin, at every level of society and in all geographic
locations
MYTH: Littering creates jobs.
FACT: LITTER COSTS MONEY. Taxpayers pay millions of dollars annually
for roadside clean-up. Not a good way to spend out taxes.
MYTH: No one notices litter.
FACT: LITTER DESTROYS THE BEAUTY OF A COMMUNITY. Tourism is an
important part of government's economy. People come from all over the world to
see the beauty of our countryside, towns and cities. When litter mars their enjoyment,
governments lose valuable tourist shillings.
MYTH: Litter doesn't hurt anyone.
FACT: Litter is a safety hazard. Litter is a breeding ground for fire
and disease, for rats and disease-causing bacteria.
FACT: Ingesting litter causes injury or death to thousands of pets,
wild and farm animals.
MYTH: Litter doesn't affect the economy.
FACT: Litter discourages economic development because it impacts real
estate values. Good stores and important businesses will not locate in a
community which lacks the pride to effectively control litter.
Before you litter next time, think of all the consequences that
will follow!
(Adapted from
PENNdot, customized for Kenyans by Purity Wanjohi)
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