Why would you ever pick up trash? You aren't going to solve the problem of the growing plastic gyres; you probably won't permanently change anybody's behavior on littering; and you are probably going to end up sweaty and stinky afterwards. So then, why do it?
Well, I'll begin with comparing trash, as our collective waste, to poo. It's our waste that gets discarded and then forgotten about. Unlike our trash, poo does have a positive purpose in life. It can become fertilizer and help other organisms grow into vibrant, productive, contributors to the life cycle. What happens to our trash? A lot of it sits and bleeds toxic particles into our planet and bodies while serving as fertilizer to nothing. A very small percentage gets recycled and most of the time, those discarded items were only used a handful of times at most, which is the case with most plastics.
Now, if you've taken the time to reflect on how we are functioning as a society in this way, you would come to the conclusion that it is absurd and unsustainable. We don't seem to be entirely aware of the effect that our automatic senselessness is having to the environment and I think it's because of our disconnection to it.
There are so many overwhelming facts regarding this issue, which I think can paralyze people from doing anything about it since they don't know where to start. Also, most of us don't come in contact with any severe effects from this issue on a daily basis. So, we wait for other people to fix it, forget, and then turn a blind eye, continuing our lives without understanding what is happening and what we are contributing towards.
I personally don't want to wait until something catastrophic happens in order for us to change our ways. Oceanic plastic soups, contaminated seafood and stagnant ugly giant landfills are enough for me to get it.
So, If we can make things in a way that is less harmful and more efficient, then why don't we?
I am not a plastic producer business tycoon or scientist, but I am confident that it isn't due to lack of resources or technology. We most certainly do have the capacity to do it and many already are, we are just not collectively committed to it... yet.
While i do think that corporate and government influences, or lack thereof, have a lot to do with the problem, i don't bank on them waking up tomorrow prioritizing this issue and creating a new effective production and waste structure for our society. Instead, i believe that the only power i have is to take responsibility for how MY own behavior contributes towards this problem, learn as much as i can about alternatives and solutions and just do my best. After that, I leave the rest to miracles.
One way that i feel is doing my best, is to pick up trash for a few minutes around my neighborhood or a block that i feel is in deep need of a cleanup every once in a while. I get a feel for how dirty my city is, what is polluting it and how i can responsibly dispose of what i find. This information pops up in my head when I'm making little every day decisions like whether or not to use straws, chose compostable products vs plastic, take my water bottle (with an integrated filter) instead of buying disposable bottled water, etc... not to mention the workout i get in and the time i spend with my friends and neighbors doing something fulfilling.
This is ultimately about responsibility and doing your part... but that doesn't mean you can't have fun in the process! :)
Check out how we organize our clean ups if you are curious about doing one in your neighborhood,
Or...
Now, if you've taken the time to reflect on how we are functioning as a society in this way, you would come to the conclusion that it is absurd and unsustainable. We don't seem to be entirely aware of the effect that our automatic senselessness is having to the environment and I think it's because of our disconnection to it.
There are so many overwhelming facts regarding this issue, which I think can paralyze people from doing anything about it since they don't know where to start. Also, most of us don't come in contact with any severe effects from this issue on a daily basis. So, we wait for other people to fix it, forget, and then turn a blind eye, continuing our lives without understanding what is happening and what we are contributing towards.
I personally don't want to wait until something catastrophic happens in order for us to change our ways. Oceanic plastic soups, contaminated seafood and stagnant ugly giant landfills are enough for me to get it.
So, If we can make things in a way that is less harmful and more efficient, then why don't we?
I am not a plastic producer business tycoon or scientist, but I am confident that it isn't due to lack of resources or technology. We most certainly do have the capacity to do it and many already are, we are just not collectively committed to it... yet.
While i do think that corporate and government influences, or lack thereof, have a lot to do with the problem, i don't bank on them waking up tomorrow prioritizing this issue and creating a new effective production and waste structure for our society. Instead, i believe that the only power i have is to take responsibility for how MY own behavior contributes towards this problem, learn as much as i can about alternatives and solutions and just do my best. After that, I leave the rest to miracles.
One way that i feel is doing my best, is to pick up trash for a few minutes around my neighborhood or a block that i feel is in deep need of a cleanup every once in a while. I get a feel for how dirty my city is, what is polluting it and how i can responsibly dispose of what i find. This information pops up in my head when I'm making little every day decisions like whether or not to use straws, chose compostable products vs plastic, take my water bottle (with an integrated filter) instead of buying disposable bottled water, etc... not to mention the workout i get in and the time i spend with my friends and neighbors doing something fulfilling.
This is ultimately about responsibility and doing your part... but that doesn't mean you can't have fun in the process! :)
Check out how we organize our clean ups if you are curious about doing one in your neighborhood,
Or...
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