You’re walking in the nearby park when you notice a plastic cup and some crumpled wrappers in the grass. It may seem minor, but even a few pieces of litter can disrupt the experience of being outdoors. As litter builds up, what began as a small issue can quickly become a bigger problem for our natural spaces. By rethinking habits around trash, we can keep our parks, forest preserves, and rivers healthier for everyone.
The Impact of Litter
Thrown aside in a moment, litter can remain in the environment for years, decades, or even lifetimes. As trash accumulates, it impacts ecosystems, wildlife, and people. Litter can affect the environment in the following ways:
- Pollute rivers: Wrappers, cigarette butts, and other trash littered on the street can easily be washed into storm drains that directly connect to local rivers and streams. Litter degrades stream habitat and water quality.
- Endanger wildlife: Wildlife may mistake litter for food, which is potentially life-threatening for animals. Wildlife can also be caught in litter. For example, birds may become tangled up in left-behind fishing line.
- Contaminate soil: Slowly decomposing litter can contaminate soil with chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics.
- Diminish beauty: Litter can reduce the attraction and enjoyment of natural spaces as well as increase clean-up costs.
Simple Tips for Better Trash Habits
Littering can happen when we feel rushed or inconvenienced. Fortunately, simple changes to your daily routine can make it easy to properly throw out trash.
- Take advantage of convenient ways to properly discard trash. Keep a dedicated trash bag in your car and regularly use trash bins at gas stations, drive-throughs, and storefronts.
- Secure trash bins by fully closing lids and avoid overfilling, so trash does not blow away and become litter.
- If you carry something into a park or preserve, make sure you carry it out. Check picnic areas to make sure nothing is left behind.
- Utilize reusable containers like water bottles or snack containers to reduce what needs to be thrown away.
- Pick up a piece of litter when you’re out and join a park or river clean-up to be part of restoring beautiful, healthy outdoor spaces.
Help Keep Our Natural Spaces Clean
Sometimes caring for our natural areas doesn’t require big actions, just small, mindful choices made each day. By taking responsibility for the trash we create, we can protect our local parks and rivers. When we each do our part, everyone can enjoy healthy and beautiful community spaces.
