Gratitude:
I have much gratitude for all the citizens who do not litter, all the citizens who pickup litter and all those concerned enough to try to get everyone else fired up to fight littering.
These outstanding citizens understand the importance of having a community that is litter free and pleasing to the eyes of the persons who live here, drive through our communities, or visiting our communities.
Grievances:
I do have grievances with my anyone that litters or dumps since that person is harming the entire community.
When people litter to save time, the cost to clean the littering falls to local volunteers or to the city or county government.
Most people want to turn a blind eye, but most litter will last for years if not taken care of. For example, most people would think that cigarette buds would decompose fast but, it can take over 18 months.
On the other hand, over one-third of all litter is unsurprisingly fast food trash, most of which is plastic and can take hundreds of years to decompose. This sounds like it would be something hard to fix but all it takes for everyone to do the right thing and spread awareness and to help stop people getting away with it. People think that it’s not a big crime, but it can, get you fined for $500 or more.
So, make awareness and if you see something that’s just lying on the ground throw it away and make the area cleaner one step at a time.
Litter causes many problems. Litter actually causes danger to wildlife. Litter is unsightly. Litter increases negative behavior people see litter and many think it is okay to litter there. Litter dimishes the home values in an area. Litter discourages economic development since it could be a turnoff to business owners viewing the community.
The solution of the litter problem is as one person told me “have pride in their community”. In other words do not litter and volunteer to help clean up the litter.
Editor’s note:
Joseph McCain is the publisher of The Choctaw Plaindealer and maybe contacted at 662-773-6241 or 662-803-5236 or email newsroom@winstoncountyjournal.com.
