Boooo! Litter Bugs

I’d like to send out a big loud "Boooo!" to all those litter bugs out there. Yesterday, as I was leaving Shenandoah Branch Library, the Ice Cream truck drove by. How cool, I didn’t know they still existed. Two teenage girls bought their Popsicles and the truck drove off. One of the girls then took the pop out of the wrapper, tossed the wrapper on the ground, and started eating. That was it.

I mean, I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir here, but, WHAT? Who is raising these kids?

This isn’t the first time, either. Last month I was in Islamorada and saw a mother and three kids walking on the side of the road. One of the girls finished her drink and just tossed it into the bushes. Mom says nothing.

And even worse? I say nothing. I get upset, and say nothing.

How should we deal with litterbugs? How can we as individuals make a difference? Is it as simple as saying something? Would you say, "Please don’t litter" or "Please pick up your trash" or "Oops, you just dropped something"? Is it better to just go over and pick it up ourselves?

I could have filled at least three bags of trash today, just as I was walking around. Next time I’ll bring a bag and a glove and see what I wind up with. Keep Florida Beautiful recommends starting out by just picking up one piece of litter a day. (The KFB site is really quite disappointing.) Also, Baynanza is coming up soon, which finishes off a month of activities with Baynanza Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day on April 22. Sign up no later than April 3.

City of Miami litter link, Miami Dade County litter link

Update, March 15: Today I went walking with a plastic bag and glove in hand. I filled the bag, mostly with disposable cups. I certainly didn’t pick up every piece of trash I saw, but I would say the theme for today was disposable cups. Pollo Tropical, Starbucks, clear plastic, styrofoam, soda cans, beer cans, lids, straws, THREE CapriSuns (didn’t know they were still so popular). I also picked up an empty cigarette carton, paper bag, and a photocopy.

Imagine the difference I could make if I did just one bag every time I go for a walk. Imagine the difference we all could make if we just pick up a random piece of litter now and then.