Pick up after yourself

She was small in build, but mighty in stature. Last week an unusual vehicle was parked near our office. It wasn’t a customer, which made us a little curious. Moments later a woman emerged from Gordon Street with a big bag of litter picked up along the street. 

After a quick hello we learned she was headed shortly to Groves hospital for an appointment and then going back to Waterloo where she lived. A few spare minutes seemed an opportune time to perform a public good. She herself was curious as to why this street seemed so strewn with litter, ranging from pop and beer cans to coffee cups. The street is busy, but that doesn’t excuse people tossing items out the window.

An offer to dispose of this bag of refuse was eventually accepted, but not until she had sorted out the aluminum cans that would have some value – more so in the sense that they could be recycled.

Garbage and litter have been part of society forever. The sad part is that we should all know better and show respect for the environment and our community. 

In recent days we have seen everything from tires, a pair of kid’s recliners, a full sofa set and construction materials dumped in ditches. While the cheapskates involved saved a few dollars, residents pay municipal staff to retrieve and dispose of these goods. A ten-dollar fee for the consumer at the dump quickly becomes $100, between the truck and employee, to dispose of something properly. It’s counter-intuitive but speaks to the selfish nature of some people.

A smirk emerged as we read the story this week about Erin, where bylaw enforcement has closed the file on a single complaint they received about dumping. As if such a file will be ever closed, there will always be more. But, it sounded good for this isolated case. We hazard to guess the vast majority of residents don’t bother calling in such complaints, knowing at some point it will get handled.

For Erin, and its ongoing developments, the companies are doing what they can to provide facilities for new homeowners. But as always seems to happen, if the bin is full and can’t accept more items, people start a pile close by. Who do people assume looks after that? Who cares, is maybe the better question. Clearly plenty don’t.

For years now the education system has made solid efforts to reduce waste. Candidly, part of it has to do with the costs, but the majority of schools now insist on reuseable containers rather than plastic wrapped lunches. Escaping the clutches of convenience, many families are able to use sandwich and snack containers with little effort. A quick wash each night and the kids become accustomed to wrapper-less lunch boxes. We see that as a positive move and good habits to learn. Certainly, young workers have translated that habit into their workday with refillable beverage containers and Tupperware. That is a positive sign, for sure.

Back to the litter, it’s time to get a handle on this problem. We remain loathe to suggest cameras, preferring a manner of self-policing where people speak up when others do something wrong and throw items into the street. This behaviour is something that shouldn’t be normalized and unfortunately, if left unchecked, it becomes okay.

Take responsibility for your waste and give the community a break. Pick up after yourself.