Nature Destroyed! People who throw litter Where the Wild Things Are make me mad!
By anawar
@anawar (2404)
United States
July 30, 2008 2:07pm CST
Yesterday on my nature walk; my heart broke when I saw an empty McDonald's bag laying in the grass on the side of the road. It looked so out of place, so weird and unnatural.
Walking deeper into the woods, I found more evidence of littering. The sight of an empty plastic cup and crumpled paper laying next to a beautiful tree both angered me and saddened me. A few steps later, I found empty, crushed cigarette packs and a few broken bottles of beer.
I remembered hearing some teenagers yelling and goofing around in the woods the night before. They must have been the litter bugs, because the day before the path was clean, no litter in sight.
Why don't people care? What kind of person destroys Nature's beauty by defiling it with trash?
The highways were once cluttered with trash, until signs were posted, warning of a $500 fine for littering. I appreciate those signs, but it's sad that we need laws to prevent littering.
Why don't people do the right thing, because it's the right thing to do?
In San Antonio,Texas, The River Walk was immaculate with no signs of human trash. But venturing out into the rest of the city, the trash on the streets disgusted me. I watched people just drop their trash as they walked along.
I chose to use the picture of the book "Where the Wild Things Are", because I read it to my children several times as they grew. We loved that book.
It also helped make my point. People who throw litter either in public, or where the wild things grow, disgust me. I don't understand them.
The public parks in my area are always litter free. People respect Nature in some places.
What is it like where you live? Do you find litter on the ground? Are there fines for people who litter? What are your thoughts and experiences?
I added a picture of the view I have from my window. Woods surround me and I walk the trails that wander through them everyday, drawing strength and peace from the very heart of Nature.
2 people like this
6 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
30 Jul 08
Littering is thoughtless, unnecessary and offensive. I have found McDonald's bags miles away from the nearest store, flung no doubt by people who want the insides of their cars pristine, but have no care for the landscape through which thy travel. I have even seen leftover fast food meals being jettisoned from cars. In the UK you can report these people if you see them and they will be prosecuted. We are slowly drowning under a sea of litter and rubbish. Too many peole don't care. "The street cleaners can pick it up. It's what they're paid for". Remonstrating with people that litter can get you stabbed or worse; so people don't bother. Maybe it's time we rose up en masse and declare our opposition.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
30 Jul 08
p1ke - hi. Stabbed? Unbelievable. I think I would hold my silence too.
I like your point about pristine cars.
Are there public trash cans around stores and restaurants? I know in San Antonio, I never noticed one public trash can.
Imagine relying on street cleaners to take care of our rubbish. All I can think of is needing a maid to keep the house clean. Not too many people have that luxury.
Maybe if the street cleaners went on strike, or the city could no longer afford to pay them to clean? Would everyone cooperate then?
It must be a mind-set, of what, I have no idea.
Humans are strange creatures. American's "should" have been rising up en masse against Bush, but we needed more people to get him impeached.
I don't know. Maybe we're de-evolving. Gosh, this is the second post I might get hammered on.
Although, the majority of mylotters are tolerant and respectful, making mylot a safe place to communicate with no fear of stabbings.
@loupylou2 (1)
•
19 Apr 09
i work at a mcdonalds full time as a shiftrunner at a 24 hour operated store and whilst on my break i can be outside in the early hours taking a look round and people (mainly boy racers) just throw the packaging right out before you and even laugh. at night theres about 3-4 people in building and your not allowed outside on your own after 9pm or two of you must go together--this then leaves 2 in building which is not enough to cope with running the store so about 4am when it hopefully calms down i go out there on my own n (i know i shouldnt) and spend about 40mins picking rubbish up. By the time i get back in the building there has been more littering! Not only is it tiring bending up and down but dangerous, annoying heartbreaking and then a customer will go "do you know you ve got rats" and i say yes its due to people littering 24/7 Why does no one seem to care? i told a high up boss in company what its loke esp in early hours and he said "carrt a notepad and pen and look as if ur writing their reg down to scare them"!...what the .. i wish something could be done!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
30 Jul 08
People are selfish nowadays, think of no one but themselves. Not everyone, of course, but so many of the young ones.
When I first moved in here, there was litter in the street sometimes. I picked it up. I noticed people began to pick it up after I started. Example breeds cooperation. Of course, you can't do that there. But the best you can do is pick up where you can.
It's sad that people can't appreciate nature and want to preserve it. 
@anawar (2404)
• United States
30 Jul 08
dragon - you're right. People are selfish. That conclusion escaped me.
It's a little scary to pick up garbage without gloves or protection. I've thought of cleaning it up, but, honestly it creeps me out. Maybe if I had one of those pointy sticks-
Someone actually followed your good example. My heart is warmed and my mind encouraged.
People don't see Nature because they don't want to.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
3 Aug 08
I have a problem with that as well. It's like people don't even realize what they're doing, but they do. They just don't care.
I go camping often and it bothers me seeing the state of some of the campgrounds and trails.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
31 Jul 08
That's a nice picture u have there ^_^ And i do really envy that place that u are living in.. hehe
Those litter bugs ought be be punished severely, not by fine.. But rather, let them have a taste of having the whole garbage truck, unloading all the rubbish in their home and make them clean it up within a week, b4 they are allowed on the streets again.. If not, they should be confined in the house till the whole mess is cleared..
I think this punishment is the best way for them, because since they cant be out, they can only stay with the trench in the house till they clear it.. lol =D
Here in singapore, one can hardly find litter on the streets because of a hefty fine of $500 if we are caught littering.. But still, a fine dun deter minority of ple littering, because they think they wun be so unlucky to be caught..
But in our parks and gardens where nature are being focused, they are almost litter free as there are rangers patrolling around to make sure that it's clean.. hehe
@littleowl (7157)
•
3 Aug 08
Hi anawar..it saddens me too to see the way people think that nature can be a rubbish dump...whenever I go for a walk and take something with me to eat and the dogs after I always clear up and bring whats left home why cant these hoodlams be taught some respect and do the same...even adults who don't seem to care for these beautiful places leave thir litter behind maybe ther should be some sort of sign postd or something put up saying there would be a fine if people did that...what the answer is I don't know but there are definitley people who can't appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature bright blessings littleowl
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I have always hated litter, too, especially in state parks and on the beach. When I lived up north there was a lot of litter along the highways and along roadsides and it disgusted me. Now, I live in south Florida, between two small towns, and I very rarely see litter on the side of the road. Not only do the people down here care more, the county keeps grass along the sides of the roads nicely trimmed and the canals (we have a lot of canals) cleared out. It's much nicer than looking at trash every day.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
30 Jul 08
There's plenty of retirees in South Florida. I think good manners and common sense faded from American culture. I know people in their 80s who are gracious, loving and caring. Maybe their societal values keep your area clean.
(I know some grumpy seniors too. Especially while driving.)
Another incentive to keep Florida clean, is because it's a vacation, service oriented state. A clean appearance is mandatory for tourists.
I know some beautiful areas in Florida, but it's been a few years since I moved away. It's comforting knowing we're keeping at least part of that state clean. Hopefully, the majority of it.
Your area sounds like a lovely place to live.
