WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Just a quick note to say thank you for Litterland! I find it extremely helpful. We are working on Litter Free Supply Stations in Chicago, a strategy you shared which was successful in the UK. Keep up the great work. You are so appreciated."
Annette Anderson
Friends of Chicago River
Annette Anderson
Friends of Chicago River
"I enjoy reading about the efforts being made around the world to combat litter. It makes me feel less alone in the battle."
Carole Mitro
Sarnia, Ontario
Carole Mitro
Sarnia, Ontario
"Your newsletters are absolutely the best way to get a global perspective on #litter Sheila. You do an amazing job scanning the world's media for stories, good and bad. Thank you!"
Dee Bingham
@Litterxchange
Dee Bingham
@Litterxchange
"Just collected five large trash bags in Columbus Ohio. Four years ago I was able to get our Homeowner’s association to Adopt the closest interstate ramps and the road in front of our development! It would be great if every Road was adopted; of course, better if no more litter. It gets left out of the environmental rhetoric."
Renee Mallett
Litter Prevention Chairwoman
Cleaner Greener Gahanna
Columbus, OH
Renee Mallett
Litter Prevention Chairwoman
Cleaner Greener Gahanna
Columbus, OH
"I just wanted to thank you and let you know that your website has been a brilliant resource for information, especially the news reel which has really helped me get a better idea what is happening globally."
Emma Berry
Environmental Initiatives Officer
South Lanarkshire Council
Blantyre, Scotland
January 28, 2020
Emma Berry
Environmental Initiatives Officer
South Lanarkshire Council
Blantyre, Scotland
January 28, 2020
Littering laws need review, environmental crusader says (November 20, 2012)
The Toronto Sun newspaper was among the media outlets to cover my call for action on litter.
The Toronto Sun newspaper was among the media outlets to cover my call for action on litter.
REGARDING THE LITTER PREVENTION PROGRAM: "The event was a success and we could not have done it without your participation and hard work. Sheila and Alex, your music was so beautiful and created such a memorable atmosphere. Many guests and volunteers came up to me to tell me how lovely the performance was."
Jenny Zhang, Toronto
Chinese Canadian Environmental Association
Videographer Amy Phelan made a short documentary film about me. Watch it here.
This was from the summer of 2017.
From Joan Willis, Principal
C. D. Farquharson Jr. P.S.
Toronto
"I am pleased to recommend the Litter Prevention Program. Over the years Ms White and Mr. King have been voluntarily sharing their message of litter prevention with our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. The message has been well received by our Primary students; they find it both informative and entertaining."
C. D. Farquharson Jr. P.S.
Toronto
"I am pleased to recommend the Litter Prevention Program. Over the years Ms White and Mr. King have been voluntarily sharing their message of litter prevention with our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. The message has been well received by our Primary students; they find it both informative and entertaining."
From Darlene Gray
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Thanks for your inquiry. That's a great website you've created!
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Thanks for your inquiry. That's a great website you've created!
USING THEIR MINDS, USING THEIR VOICES, PEOPLE TOGETHER MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Call talk shows, write letters, blogs, tweets and posts like these folks have
Call talk shows, write letters, blogs, tweets and posts like these folks have
Litter can be deadly! (August 4, 2015)
(To The Niagara Falls Review)
Chicken bones, foil wrappers and cigarette butts: What do all of these have in common? They can cause serious harm or death to our furry friends, yet I see this type of litter and waste on a daily basis as I walk my dog in my neighbourhood. Please consider the environment as well as those creatures who share the environment with us. We are the more evolved creatures; let’s start behaving in such a manner.
Please use the trash cans provided in your neighbourhood to dispose of your garbage. My dog thanks you.
Jamie Wales
Poor cigarette butt (September 5, 2014)
In the Aug. 6 Viewpoints, Fred Gunter of Macon said the county in addition to enforcing littering laws, should sue the tobacco industry for the fires caused from lit butts on our roadways. Well, I’m not a smoker and I detest those who light up their cigarettes near me without any regard for me, but I have to go to bat for that little old cigarette butt. It was laying around doing nothing and feeling smug in its pack until that uncaring human being picked it up and set it on fire. To fan the flames that human being had to inhale through that cigarette and cause more damage to that butt. Then that uncaring human being decided it no longer wanted that damaged butt and just tossed it aside.
That butt was angry for being tossed aside and decided to strike back. It reached out and grabbed a clump of grass it had been tossed into by that uncaring human so it could fight fire with fire. Now, Gunter, who is the culprit here? Is it the tobacco company or the uncaring human who decided to inflict damage on that poor little cigarette that was minding its own business?
And the answer is -- it wasn’t the tobacco company but that uncaring human, who became a criminal by his actions that inflicted the damage. That is who the county should sue to get back funds that were spent cleaning up those butts on the roadside or fighting the fire that was caused when that lit butt went out the window.
-- Ruby Jacobs in The Telegraph
Macon, GA
(To The Niagara Falls Review)
Chicken bones, foil wrappers and cigarette butts: What do all of these have in common? They can cause serious harm or death to our furry friends, yet I see this type of litter and waste on a daily basis as I walk my dog in my neighbourhood. Please consider the environment as well as those creatures who share the environment with us. We are the more evolved creatures; let’s start behaving in such a manner.
Please use the trash cans provided in your neighbourhood to dispose of your garbage. My dog thanks you.
Jamie Wales
Poor cigarette butt (September 5, 2014)
In the Aug. 6 Viewpoints, Fred Gunter of Macon said the county in addition to enforcing littering laws, should sue the tobacco industry for the fires caused from lit butts on our roadways. Well, I’m not a smoker and I detest those who light up their cigarettes near me without any regard for me, but I have to go to bat for that little old cigarette butt. It was laying around doing nothing and feeling smug in its pack until that uncaring human being picked it up and set it on fire. To fan the flames that human being had to inhale through that cigarette and cause more damage to that butt. Then that uncaring human being decided it no longer wanted that damaged butt and just tossed it aside.
That butt was angry for being tossed aside and decided to strike back. It reached out and grabbed a clump of grass it had been tossed into by that uncaring human so it could fight fire with fire. Now, Gunter, who is the culprit here? Is it the tobacco company or the uncaring human who decided to inflict damage on that poor little cigarette that was minding its own business?
And the answer is -- it wasn’t the tobacco company but that uncaring human, who became a criminal by his actions that inflicted the damage. That is who the county should sue to get back funds that were spent cleaning up those butts on the roadside or fighting the fire that was caused when that lit butt went out the window.
-- Ruby Jacobs in The Telegraph
Macon, GA
Stop littering! (June 12, 2014)
Everyone in our neighborhood litters. Can you tell people who read your newspaper, “Do not litter!” or maybe make a fine if you litter on our street.
I am an 8-year-old third-grader. I pick up trash on my lawn; my dad picks up the glass. People in our neighborhood throw glass, paper, foam cups and cigarettes. When school starts in August, I will be picking up trash after school with my family. We need some help.
Thank you.
Jeremiah Taddeo
Ocala
Fine litterbugs (May 1, 2014)
(To The Chicago Tribune)
When the snow had melted, I was disgusted by the sight of all the trash that had been carelessly tossed from vehicles. What lazy slobs some people are! And we as taxpayers have to pay someone to clean it up. Why not fine the litterbugs or let them clean it up? Does Illinois have money to burn? It's time for an anti-litter campaign.
Donna Closson, Chicago
It wouldn’t take much to make a difference (April 4, 2014)
I, too, have been on a road trip through the middle of our country, and the presence of plastic bags littering the landscape is disheartening (“Our planet, literally trashed,” Letter of the Day, April 3). Personal responsibility is needed to get those plastic bags and all trash recycled. Also, businesses must offer recycling opportunities for individuals away from home. Hennepin County offers grants to businesses to improve recycling. Look on the county’s website.
I challenge each of you to “Thirty Days of Earth Day.” Please pick up one piece of trash or more for the next 30 days. Yes, each one of us can make a difference.
Rebecca Wardell Gaertner, Minneapolis
Editor's Note: 30 days of Earth Day, what a great idea on our way to 365 1/4
• • •
I agree the retail-generated plastic bags are a common form of litter. However, the April 3 letter writer chose to focus on the retailers as the source of the problem and thus shifted the focus from the real culprits — that is, people who litter.
My theory is that the more visible litter there is, the more comfortable people are with littering themselves. Of course, the opposite is true as well — when there is a clean landscape, the less comfortable people are to actively litter. This is where we can all help with minimal effort. When I take a walk, which I do on a regular basis, I pick up litter and carry it to the nearest garbage or recycling canister, or I bring it home to my own canisters and put it where it belongs. How did I get started doing this? I got tired of looking at the same piece of garbage every time I walked by it. When you pick it up instead of walking by, it’s gone and you never have to look at it again. It’s that simple.
Patrick Bloomfield, Chisholm, Minnesota
• • •
My neighborhood Lunds store offers large, durable, cloth shopping bags for the very reasonable price of $1.50, with periodic opportunities for a free shopping bag with a coupon. This allows me to maintain a supply of these bags and pass them on to others, when they admire the bag, for instance, after I’ve brought supplies or food to a social gathering. I know that most other markets here offer similar shopping bags.
Let’s all do our part and not place the responsibility solely on the merchants.
James Nastoff, Minneapolis
• • •
Everyone in our neighborhood litters. Can you tell people who read your newspaper, “Do not litter!” or maybe make a fine if you litter on our street.
I am an 8-year-old third-grader. I pick up trash on my lawn; my dad picks up the glass. People in our neighborhood throw glass, paper, foam cups and cigarettes. When school starts in August, I will be picking up trash after school with my family. We need some help.
Thank you.
Jeremiah Taddeo
Ocala
Fine litterbugs (May 1, 2014)
(To The Chicago Tribune)
When the snow had melted, I was disgusted by the sight of all the trash that had been carelessly tossed from vehicles. What lazy slobs some people are! And we as taxpayers have to pay someone to clean it up. Why not fine the litterbugs or let them clean it up? Does Illinois have money to burn? It's time for an anti-litter campaign.
Donna Closson, Chicago
It wouldn’t take much to make a difference (April 4, 2014)
I, too, have been on a road trip through the middle of our country, and the presence of plastic bags littering the landscape is disheartening (“Our planet, literally trashed,” Letter of the Day, April 3). Personal responsibility is needed to get those plastic bags and all trash recycled. Also, businesses must offer recycling opportunities for individuals away from home. Hennepin County offers grants to businesses to improve recycling. Look on the county’s website.
I challenge each of you to “Thirty Days of Earth Day.” Please pick up one piece of trash or more for the next 30 days. Yes, each one of us can make a difference.
Rebecca Wardell Gaertner, Minneapolis
Editor's Note: 30 days of Earth Day, what a great idea on our way to 365 1/4
• • •
I agree the retail-generated plastic bags are a common form of litter. However, the April 3 letter writer chose to focus on the retailers as the source of the problem and thus shifted the focus from the real culprits — that is, people who litter.
My theory is that the more visible litter there is, the more comfortable people are with littering themselves. Of course, the opposite is true as well — when there is a clean landscape, the less comfortable people are to actively litter. This is where we can all help with minimal effort. When I take a walk, which I do on a regular basis, I pick up litter and carry it to the nearest garbage or recycling canister, or I bring it home to my own canisters and put it where it belongs. How did I get started doing this? I got tired of looking at the same piece of garbage every time I walked by it. When you pick it up instead of walking by, it’s gone and you never have to look at it again. It’s that simple.
Patrick Bloomfield, Chisholm, Minnesota
• • •
My neighborhood Lunds store offers large, durable, cloth shopping bags for the very reasonable price of $1.50, with periodic opportunities for a free shopping bag with a coupon. This allows me to maintain a supply of these bags and pass them on to others, when they admire the bag, for instance, after I’ve brought supplies or food to a social gathering. I know that most other markets here offer similar shopping bags.
Let’s all do our part and not place the responsibility solely on the merchants.
James Nastoff, Minneapolis
• • •
To the Daily Hampshire Gazette editor (July 23, 2013)
Great to see a lead front-page article addressing the problem of trash in our community (“Mill River troubles,” July 16). Fine as far as it went, I would like to see a fuller expose about the scope of this vexing problem. In my quiet and beautiful neighborhood off of Loudville Road, Easthampton, I have picked up well over 100 Jim Beam bottles, nearly as many Budweiser cans, and wine cooler cases and generic trash of all sorts this season. Virtually every single day brings new trash. I abandoned my sojourns to my favorite local swimming hole last summer after it had become overrun with alcohol cans, bottles, and litter.
But my neighborhood is by no means unique, and Mill River isn’t either. And that’s the tragedy. How depressing to live in such a paradise and witness it becoming so trashed. A littered landscape has become the “new normal” and the onus is on anguished landowners to clean up — constantly — after the destructiveness of others. When one sees your neighborhood as nothing more than an open air dump and defaces it, that’s a kind of violence that shouldn’t be tolerated and I suggest our culture has been tolerating it too long. Serious thought needs to go into providing facilities for people to dispose of their waste, but also into broader more comprehensive solutions: a meaningful expansion of the bottle bill, education and significant penalties calculated to deter littering and a commitment by law enforcement and the courts to enforce them.
Chuck Levin
Easthampton
Great to see a lead front-page article addressing the problem of trash in our community (“Mill River troubles,” July 16). Fine as far as it went, I would like to see a fuller expose about the scope of this vexing problem. In my quiet and beautiful neighborhood off of Loudville Road, Easthampton, I have picked up well over 100 Jim Beam bottles, nearly as many Budweiser cans, and wine cooler cases and generic trash of all sorts this season. Virtually every single day brings new trash. I abandoned my sojourns to my favorite local swimming hole last summer after it had become overrun with alcohol cans, bottles, and litter.
But my neighborhood is by no means unique, and Mill River isn’t either. And that’s the tragedy. How depressing to live in such a paradise and witness it becoming so trashed. A littered landscape has become the “new normal” and the onus is on anguished landowners to clean up — constantly — after the destructiveness of others. When one sees your neighborhood as nothing more than an open air dump and defaces it, that’s a kind of violence that shouldn’t be tolerated and I suggest our culture has been tolerating it too long. Serious thought needs to go into providing facilities for people to dispose of their waste, but also into broader more comprehensive solutions: a meaningful expansion of the bottle bill, education and significant penalties calculated to deter littering and a commitment by law enforcement and the courts to enforce them.
Chuck Levin
Easthampton
Letter to the Bournemouth Echo: Staggered at all the litter (July 11, 2013)
If there is any evidence that proves the night-time economy is booming it was this Monday morning at 7.40. I was walking along Commercial Road when I was absolutely staggered at the amount of litter flowing over the road, not only this but I noticed cans, bottles, fast food junk cartons covering the whole of the top of one of the brick built piers outside a coffee shop.
This is just beside a litter bin. Does Bournemouth need this type of business? It's good to see people enjoying themselves but the kind of people we get seem to be totally oblivious to the idea of litter bins. If Bournemouth is for business, this is the business we can surely do without!
KAREN LAWMAN, UK
Westbourne
If there is any evidence that proves the night-time economy is booming it was this Monday morning at 7.40. I was walking along Commercial Road when I was absolutely staggered at the amount of litter flowing over the road, not only this but I noticed cans, bottles, fast food junk cartons covering the whole of the top of one of the brick built piers outside a coffee shop.
This is just beside a litter bin. Does Bournemouth need this type of business? It's good to see people enjoying themselves but the kind of people we get seem to be totally oblivious to the idea of litter bins. If Bournemouth is for business, this is the business we can surely do without!
KAREN LAWMAN, UK
Westbourne
People, businesses must stop littering (May 16, 2013)
At the northeast corner of Northern Boulevard and Clearview Expressway in Bayside is a green area where the Soldier’s Monument stands. The monument commemorates the sacrifices our men and women made serving in the armed forces during wartime.
Unfortunately, this green area is frequently littered. Recently, I picked up a bag of cups, remains of lunches and other pieces of debris that some people thoughtlessly left behind near this symbol of honor. I thought it was disgraceful that this special site should be fouled with garbage, this site where we should be remembering and respecting our fallen heroes.
This is not the first time I stopped to pick up litter there. There used to be a litter basket by the bus stop in front of the monument, but it is gone — again. My understanding is that the city Sanitation Department keeps taking the baskets away because people keep putting household garbage in them.
But is it better to take away the baskets and have litter left on the ground by the monument and other areas? It does not make sense to me.
Litter baskets along much of Northern Boulevard keep getting removed. So where does the debris go? It goes in the streets, is left on sidewalks, clogs catch basins or lands in green areas. I walk a lot and I have been astonished at the amount of litter I see on my travels as of late.
Garbage and litter is also a problem by many businesses throughout the community — and let us not forget the dog poop issue. Why do some owners allow their pets to poop on sidewalks and then leave it behind for someone to step in?
It is time for all of us to be more cognizant of these problems. If you have litter, please dispose of it properly. Please pick up after your pet like most owners do. Sanitation also has to improve its efforts in confronting this issue.
All members of the community, including businesses, should do their part in keeping their neighborhood litter free and beautiful.
Henry Euler
Bayside
At the northeast corner of Northern Boulevard and Clearview Expressway in Bayside is a green area where the Soldier’s Monument stands. The monument commemorates the sacrifices our men and women made serving in the armed forces during wartime.
Unfortunately, this green area is frequently littered. Recently, I picked up a bag of cups, remains of lunches and other pieces of debris that some people thoughtlessly left behind near this symbol of honor. I thought it was disgraceful that this special site should be fouled with garbage, this site where we should be remembering and respecting our fallen heroes.
This is not the first time I stopped to pick up litter there. There used to be a litter basket by the bus stop in front of the monument, but it is gone — again. My understanding is that the city Sanitation Department keeps taking the baskets away because people keep putting household garbage in them.
But is it better to take away the baskets and have litter left on the ground by the monument and other areas? It does not make sense to me.
Litter baskets along much of Northern Boulevard keep getting removed. So where does the debris go? It goes in the streets, is left on sidewalks, clogs catch basins or lands in green areas. I walk a lot and I have been astonished at the amount of litter I see on my travels as of late.
Garbage and litter is also a problem by many businesses throughout the community — and let us not forget the dog poop issue. Why do some owners allow their pets to poop on sidewalks and then leave it behind for someone to step in?
It is time for all of us to be more cognizant of these problems. If you have litter, please dispose of it properly. Please pick up after your pet like most owners do. Sanitation also has to improve its efforts in confronting this issue.
All members of the community, including businesses, should do their part in keeping their neighborhood litter free and beautiful.
Henry Euler
Bayside
Runners' litter unsightly (May 9, 2013)
Another Eau Claire Marathon has finished. Once again, paper cups and empty foil packets of energy concoctions are strewn along the course. It seems like the organizers of this event are unwilling to clean up after it is over. If it isn't already being done, I feel that the organizers should be charged labor and equipment costs by the city to do this job for them.
PETER OPPER
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Another Eau Claire Marathon has finished. Once again, paper cups and empty foil packets of energy concoctions are strewn along the course. It seems like the organizers of this event are unwilling to clean up after it is over. If it isn't already being done, I feel that the organizers should be charged labor and equipment costs by the city to do this job for them.
PETER OPPER
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Litter ruining our city (April 14, 2013)
Letter to OA Online in Odessa, Texas, says it all so well
I would like to say that it truly saddens me to see litter on our streets and our highways. As a child we were taught that littering is not just a crime against our city, but it is a crime to litter against the beautiful land God blessed us with. It is very important to keep litter in its place. Litter causes a variety of problems. Some of the causes of litter could be wrappers from food items, cigarette butts just being thrown down on the ground, and even just trash that is not properly disposed of in your neighborhood dumpsters that blows in someone else’s yard. We all have a responsibility to keep the trash in the receptacles that it belongs in. Throwing empty cans or containers away and them not landing in the trash receptacles can hold rainwater (when we are blessed with it) and this can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and maggots. Both of which are very dirty and annoying. Litter being thrown out of a moving automobile can be of a danger to other vehicles and its passengers; not to mention pedestrians just innocently out for a walk. It can also prove for a very ugly visual experience for us as well as visitors to our community.
It takes all of us as a community to prevent the litter takeover of our fair city. How can we expect others to want to move to and invest in our city if it appears that we don’t care about the beauty of our city? It is the responsibility of each and every citizen to make certain that any trash we or our children have in our vehicles is put in a receptacle in our vehicle and not thrown out on the highways. It is up to us as parents to teach our children to respect our country and put litter where litter belongs. When we take our garbage out to the trash receptacle, make certain that it all goes in the receptacle and shut the trash can lids. It should be of importance to our trash carriers to make certain when they pick up the trash, that it all goes in the back of the truck and any that may fall, they take it upon themselves to pick it up and put it where it belongs. It is up to all of us as a community to participate in keeping our city beautiful as well as the highways that lead to our city.
I have a suggestion that we should have neighborhood programs like the “adopt a mile” program. It is to voluntarily go out and pick up all litter within the particular area conjunctive to your own neighborhood and to encourage others to get involved and to take ownership of their own area of life. I do applaud the city for the strides that have been made thus far with our highways. There is much improvement and I pray that will continue, but I think as individuals we could all do more to keep our city beautiful. I would like to see certain Saturdays, maybe once a month specifically as a city, as a large group effort to go out and work together and grab every piece of litter, large or small, and deliver it to the proper place, the trash receptacle. I believe this would send a message to others that we care about the beautification of our city, both adults and small children. I love this city and believe it is growing more and more beautiful each day and would like to do my part to keep that trend going. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.
Kimberly Gibson
Odessa, TX
Letter to OA Online in Odessa, Texas, says it all so well
I would like to say that it truly saddens me to see litter on our streets and our highways. As a child we were taught that littering is not just a crime against our city, but it is a crime to litter against the beautiful land God blessed us with. It is very important to keep litter in its place. Litter causes a variety of problems. Some of the causes of litter could be wrappers from food items, cigarette butts just being thrown down on the ground, and even just trash that is not properly disposed of in your neighborhood dumpsters that blows in someone else’s yard. We all have a responsibility to keep the trash in the receptacles that it belongs in. Throwing empty cans or containers away and them not landing in the trash receptacles can hold rainwater (when we are blessed with it) and this can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and maggots. Both of which are very dirty and annoying. Litter being thrown out of a moving automobile can be of a danger to other vehicles and its passengers; not to mention pedestrians just innocently out for a walk. It can also prove for a very ugly visual experience for us as well as visitors to our community.
It takes all of us as a community to prevent the litter takeover of our fair city. How can we expect others to want to move to and invest in our city if it appears that we don’t care about the beauty of our city? It is the responsibility of each and every citizen to make certain that any trash we or our children have in our vehicles is put in a receptacle in our vehicle and not thrown out on the highways. It is up to us as parents to teach our children to respect our country and put litter where litter belongs. When we take our garbage out to the trash receptacle, make certain that it all goes in the receptacle and shut the trash can lids. It should be of importance to our trash carriers to make certain when they pick up the trash, that it all goes in the back of the truck and any that may fall, they take it upon themselves to pick it up and put it where it belongs. It is up to all of us as a community to participate in keeping our city beautiful as well as the highways that lead to our city.
I have a suggestion that we should have neighborhood programs like the “adopt a mile” program. It is to voluntarily go out and pick up all litter within the particular area conjunctive to your own neighborhood and to encourage others to get involved and to take ownership of their own area of life. I do applaud the city for the strides that have been made thus far with our highways. There is much improvement and I pray that will continue, but I think as individuals we could all do more to keep our city beautiful. I would like to see certain Saturdays, maybe once a month specifically as a city, as a large group effort to go out and work together and grab every piece of litter, large or small, and deliver it to the proper place, the trash receptacle. I believe this would send a message to others that we care about the beautification of our city, both adults and small children. I love this city and believe it is growing more and more beautiful each day and would like to do my part to keep that trend going. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.
Kimberly Gibson
Odessa, TX
Edinburgh’s litter bugs need to be taught a lesson (March 25, 2013)
Letter from thescotsman.com
So the city council is hiring 12 new environmental wardens to keep Edinburgh tidy (News, March 21) – what a joke. This council is so short-sighted and stuck in a fine culture, hiring only wardens makes no sense, it’s only a quarter of the battle, if at all, as they’re not going to tidy the place up.
If the council is serious about keeping Edinburgh tidy, it is about education and prevention, not only hiring environmental wardens.
An educational programme set up as part of a recycling drive would teach people what happens with their rubbish.
The council should hire sweepers to go along with a brush and cart and tidy up the streets properly, not just drive by in a small electric cart with brushes, and miss a whole load of rubbish lying in places it can’t reach, or have men and women in lorries come along and empty bins once in a while.
It should bring back the small yellow bins that you used to get on lamp posts and deploy bigger and better bins, and have better collections.
The amount of times I’ve walked past bins up town and found them full, with litter lying all around them, is a joke. Every bus stop should have a bin placed beside it as that’s where a lot of people congregate through an entire day. It makes sense to have somewhere for people to discard their rubbish whilst getting on and off of buses.
No, this council is not that serious about cleaning up the streets at all.
Paul Cook
Edinburgh
Letter from thescotsman.com
So the city council is hiring 12 new environmental wardens to keep Edinburgh tidy (News, March 21) – what a joke. This council is so short-sighted and stuck in a fine culture, hiring only wardens makes no sense, it’s only a quarter of the battle, if at all, as they’re not going to tidy the place up.
If the council is serious about keeping Edinburgh tidy, it is about education and prevention, not only hiring environmental wardens.
An educational programme set up as part of a recycling drive would teach people what happens with their rubbish.
The council should hire sweepers to go along with a brush and cart and tidy up the streets properly, not just drive by in a small electric cart with brushes, and miss a whole load of rubbish lying in places it can’t reach, or have men and women in lorries come along and empty bins once in a while.
It should bring back the small yellow bins that you used to get on lamp posts and deploy bigger and better bins, and have better collections.
The amount of times I’ve walked past bins up town and found them full, with litter lying all around them, is a joke. Every bus stop should have a bin placed beside it as that’s where a lot of people congregate through an entire day. It makes sense to have somewhere for people to discard their rubbish whilst getting on and off of buses.
No, this council is not that serious about cleaning up the streets at all.
Paul Cook
Edinburgh
Don't just wave "the naughty stick" (March 20, 2013)
Letter from The Herald
I think the 'fine em' response is heavy handed. It also strikes me as a almost facile way of dealing with more deep rooted problems that affect communities blighted by littering. Investment in community based reuse and recycling projects, and those engaging in community development, would surely bear more fruit long term than such a punitive approach. It's not rocket science - communities where people have a higher standard of living have less littering.....communities where people have a lower standard of living see higher rates of littering...so this kind of approach penalises those already socially excluded, already struggling financially......I also worry that making comments like 'ahead of the commonwealth games; insinuates not commitment to long term benefit for communities, but short term insurance that the tourists dinnae get a bad impression......litter like rough sleepers, beggars, the kids that hang around central station...displaced out of sight until the eyes of the world move on and the property developers have made their bucks.
Want people not to litter? Make them feel part of their community, involved and consulted, make people feel a sense of pride in themselves and the sense of pride in the wider environment comes...address the futility of poverty and the lack of hopelessness, stop just waving the naughty stick.
Sarah Findlay
Scotland
Letter from The Herald
I think the 'fine em' response is heavy handed. It also strikes me as a almost facile way of dealing with more deep rooted problems that affect communities blighted by littering. Investment in community based reuse and recycling projects, and those engaging in community development, would surely bear more fruit long term than such a punitive approach. It's not rocket science - communities where people have a higher standard of living have less littering.....communities where people have a lower standard of living see higher rates of littering...so this kind of approach penalises those already socially excluded, already struggling financially......I also worry that making comments like 'ahead of the commonwealth games; insinuates not commitment to long term benefit for communities, but short term insurance that the tourists dinnae get a bad impression......litter like rough sleepers, beggars, the kids that hang around central station...displaced out of sight until the eyes of the world move on and the property developers have made their bucks.
Want people not to litter? Make them feel part of their community, involved and consulted, make people feel a sense of pride in themselves and the sense of pride in the wider environment comes...address the futility of poverty and the lack of hopelessness, stop just waving the naughty stick.
Sarah Findlay
Scotland
Litter springing up (March 18, 2013)
Letter from Chronicle-Herald
Once again, the unmistakable signs of spring are here: the torn posters, face down on the sidewalk; sodden cardboard; crumpled coffee cups; and the ever-present carpet of cigarette butts all over the city.
Why not enact a bylaw that requires every homeowner, store and hotel manager, condo owner, everyone with a building that faces the street, to be responsible for cleaning up his or her own area? Easy, not too much work, and we could have a city free of the trashy litter that covers it now.
TAIYA BARSS
Halifax
Letter from Chronicle-Herald
Once again, the unmistakable signs of spring are here: the torn posters, face down on the sidewalk; sodden cardboard; crumpled coffee cups; and the ever-present carpet of cigarette butts all over the city.
Why not enact a bylaw that requires every homeowner, store and hotel manager, condo owner, everyone with a building that faces the street, to be responsible for cleaning up his or her own area? Easy, not too much work, and we could have a city free of the trashy litter that covers it now.
TAIYA BARSS
Halifax
Litter Is Back (February 20, 2013)
Letter from Frederick News Post
What happened to the phrases "Keep America Beautiful" and "Carry a Litter Bag in Your Car"? And where are the signs that read "$ Fine for Littering"?
I cannot believe the amount of trash that is on our roads today. Your next time out, take the time to look around. You will see -- it is everywhere! What has happened to people today that they throw everything out their windows? There are cups with straws, even whole burger bags; plastic bags stuck on the trees and bushes; and don't forget the variety of bottles and cans!
I was sorry to see "Clean Sweep" discontinued. There was a huge difference in and around the city after their spring event.
Come on, people, let's take a little pride in our city. Everyone driving should carry a receptacle in their car for their trash. Take it home and dispose of it properly! And those in the country, pick up along the front of your property line and also what has blown across the street. I am doing my part of cleaning up in my community and the surrounding area, but I can only do so much!
LEE GARRETT
Frederick, Maryland
Letter from Frederick News Post
What happened to the phrases "Keep America Beautiful" and "Carry a Litter Bag in Your Car"? And where are the signs that read "$ Fine for Littering"?
I cannot believe the amount of trash that is on our roads today. Your next time out, take the time to look around. You will see -- it is everywhere! What has happened to people today that they throw everything out their windows? There are cups with straws, even whole burger bags; plastic bags stuck on the trees and bushes; and don't forget the variety of bottles and cans!
I was sorry to see "Clean Sweep" discontinued. There was a huge difference in and around the city after their spring event.
Come on, people, let's take a little pride in our city. Everyone driving should carry a receptacle in their car for their trash. Take it home and dispose of it properly! And those in the country, pick up along the front of your property line and also what has blown across the street. I am doing my part of cleaning up in my community and the surrounding area, but I can only do so much!
LEE GARRETT
Frederick, Maryland
Sending letters to your local newspaper about littering is always helpful (February 14, 2013)
I just read your editorial regarding waste on streets. Having worked in highway maintenance and in garbage collection, I have witnessed this problem first- hand. I worked in Rogers Pass for Parks Canada, where I would spend about three weeks in the spring picking up roadside litter left over from the winter. It was amazing what was left along the side of the road for others to pick up. My favourite was soiled diapers that parents left for someone else to clean up.
I have also observed people emptying their wastewater tanks from RVs along the side of the highway. When working as a snowplow driver on the Coquihalla. I was at the old toll plaza, near a bathroom building that was closed. Needless to say that didn’t prevent people from using the surrounding area to relieve themselves even though 10 minutes down the highway, a nice warm, open bathroom was available.
My observation of this problem is people are basically lazy and turn into savages when no one is watching them. Not many people would enjoy someone leaving a soiled diaper on their front lawn or have their neighbours relieve themselves on their driveway, but think nothing of doing it themselves out on the open road.
IRVIN CLOUGH
Kamloops, BC
I just read your editorial regarding waste on streets. Having worked in highway maintenance and in garbage collection, I have witnessed this problem first- hand. I worked in Rogers Pass for Parks Canada, where I would spend about three weeks in the spring picking up roadside litter left over from the winter. It was amazing what was left along the side of the road for others to pick up. My favourite was soiled diapers that parents left for someone else to clean up.
I have also observed people emptying their wastewater tanks from RVs along the side of the highway. When working as a snowplow driver on the Coquihalla. I was at the old toll plaza, near a bathroom building that was closed. Needless to say that didn’t prevent people from using the surrounding area to relieve themselves even though 10 minutes down the highway, a nice warm, open bathroom was available.
My observation of this problem is people are basically lazy and turn into savages when no one is watching them. Not many people would enjoy someone leaving a soiled diaper on their front lawn or have their neighbours relieve themselves on their driveway, but think nothing of doing it themselves out on the open road.
IRVIN CLOUGH
Kamloops, BC
A story from a supporter ... (February 7, 2013)
When I was about ten years old, my mom older sister and I went on a road trip. We were not very far from home when my sister, about seventeen years my senior threw a candy bar wrapper out of the car window. Although a timid kid, I insisted my mother turn around and made my sister go back and pick up her litter! Guess if you are passionate enough even a little voice can have a big influence."
Q. Did your sister change her behaviour?
"Yes I think she did. I don’t remember ever seeing her litter again anyway. I’m not sure if anyone ever heard that story, though. I should ask my sister the next time I’m talking to her. My mom’s passed on now but I think she was proud of me ‘cause she was quite an environmentalist."
Grace Harlow-Gillighan, Facebook
When I was about ten years old, my mom older sister and I went on a road trip. We were not very far from home when my sister, about seventeen years my senior threw a candy bar wrapper out of the car window. Although a timid kid, I insisted my mother turn around and made my sister go back and pick up her litter! Guess if you are passionate enough even a little voice can have a big influence."
Q. Did your sister change her behaviour?
"Yes I think she did. I don’t remember ever seeing her litter again anyway. I’m not sure if anyone ever heard that story, though. I should ask my sister the next time I’m talking to her. My mom’s passed on now but I think she was proud of me ‘cause she was quite an environmentalist."
Grace Harlow-Gillighan, Facebook
From Michael Sheen
Hollywood Actor & Keep Wales Tidy Ambassador
From BBC News, December 28, 2012
Hollywood Actor & Keep Wales Tidy Ambassador
From BBC News, December 28, 2012
"I hope that people can take more responsibility for what they are putting inside themselves and what they're putting around them in their community and it's going to help all of us. It's fairly straightforward to pick it up and put it away. What's most upsetting is seeing people's disregard for their own community, for their own environment, the place that they live in after all. I think the less respect you have around you the less respect you have for yourself as well as other people. It saddens me to see that going on because I know that leads to individuals and communities having a very low self-esteem."
From Taylor Swift
Musical Recording Artist
(from the star's blog, September 6, 2012)
"09/06/12 what do you think about littering? i think it's absolutely terrible. so many innocent animals die from it. at my school there is rubbish absolutely EVERYWHERE. it makes me feel terrible. do you litter? if you do i never want to hear from you. you are killing our wildlife. it makes beautiful places look disgusting. why are people so lazy? if you litter you SUCK!!!!!"
http://www.taylorswift.com
Musical Recording Artist
(from the star's blog, September 6, 2012)
"09/06/12 what do you think about littering? i think it's absolutely terrible. so many innocent animals die from it. at my school there is rubbish absolutely EVERYWHERE. it makes me feel terrible. do you litter? if you do i never want to hear from you. you are killing our wildlife. it makes beautiful places look disgusting. why are people so lazy? if you litter you SUCK!!!!!"
http://www.taylorswift.com
From reader Jerry Capps to Chicago Sun Herald Times (February 1, 2013)
"I’ve seen a lot of plastic bags and garbage in these farm fields. I believe we should start in kindergarten to third grade to teach children that it’s disrespectful to people to throw your garbage out the window. Maybe they would pass that on to their parents. We would have less garbage in these fields. It would save money and save the trouble of these farmers to have their machinery clogged with plastic bags. Teach the children to throw their trash in a container. It would be a general step in the right direction." Jerry Capps, Romeoville
"I’ve seen a lot of plastic bags and garbage in these farm fields. I believe we should start in kindergarten to third grade to teach children that it’s disrespectful to people to throw your garbage out the window. Maybe they would pass that on to their parents. We would have less garbage in these fields. It would save money and save the trouble of these farmers to have their machinery clogged with plastic bags. Teach the children to throw their trash in a container. It would be a general step in the right direction." Jerry Capps, Romeoville
Litter bugs neighbours (October 9, 2012)
From Voice of the People, The Chronicle Herald, Nova Scotia
"Do kids today think the good fairies come out at night and pick up their food wrappers and pop cans? I live in a university neighbourhood and every weekend morning greets us with garbage strewn along our sidewalks. Young people today are filled with politically correct ideology, yet it seems not to apply to disposal of trash. Why don’t universities teach their students not to litter, and take a little responsibility for their behaviour in their host communities? They should connect the dots between student behaviour and their public reputation.
Peter McCurdy, Halifax
From Voice of the People, The Chronicle Herald, Nova Scotia
"Do kids today think the good fairies come out at night and pick up their food wrappers and pop cans? I live in a university neighbourhood and every weekend morning greets us with garbage strewn along our sidewalks. Young people today are filled with politically correct ideology, yet it seems not to apply to disposal of trash. Why don’t universities teach their students not to litter, and take a little responsibility for their behaviour in their host communities? They should connect the dots between student behaviour and their public reputation.
Peter McCurdy, Halifax