It's okay if I pollute your neighborhood....

[Cynthia Smith]

This entry was posted by Cynthia on Friday, 9 October, 2009 at www.journeytogreen.org


When most people think about going “green” they do not think of litter and its impact on the environment. For a long time I did not. I have always hated litter because it is an eyesore and there are health and sanitation issues associated with it. There are loads of stats about the environmental impact of litter. That is not what this post is about. The focus is about how people believe it is acceptable to litter in a less pristine neighborhood as opposed to a “good” neighborhood.

Recently, I was chatting with a colleague about how there are many things I like about my neighborhood but over the last few years of city living I have come to realize that I want a community with quality restaurants, one that is walkable, litter- and dog-poop free. I was relaying a story about how someone in my neighborhood allowed their dog to crap in the vacant lot and did not pick it up. [Digression: I strongly believe you should not own a dog if you are unwilling to clean up after it publicly.]

I moved from my dog-poop rant into a litter rant. Over the last few years, I have seen people drive up to a stop sign and threw a bag of trash out their car window and kept going. The first time I saw it I was incredulous and it continues to be disconcerting when I see it.

My colleague was in complete agreement about the whole littering issue. Then seemingly out of nowhere she said something to the effect that she would never litter in her previous neighborhood but if there was a neighborhood that was less pristine, then she would litter with something biogradable, of course. I have heard that argument before that if something is biodegradable, it is acceptable to litter. Note: Littering is littering, biogradable or not.

I did not know what to say and still do not. It is disappointing to learn that someone feels there is a justification for littering. It begs the question: Can we really save the planet? My reply is maybe, but we have to work like hell to do so.