Yuck!
When I set out to do a series about trash, I wanted to get the whole neighborhood involved. I planned a huge neighborhood block party where home owners and renters would go out to the streets and pick up the trash. I later reconsidered that idea; it was much easier, faster and cheaper just to do it myself on a more limited scope. The result was also limited, albeit still satisfying to me. I had an assistant be the photographer while I went around with a white trash bag, dust pan, broom and gloves, picking up the more obvious pieces of trash and, sometimes, the inconspicuous pieces such as cigarette butts. See below for the exciting action shots. My thanks goes out to my assistant, who prefers to keep her name anonymous.
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- And so the trash pick-up begins
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- Piece of paper, appears to have been there a long time
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- Empty cigarette box
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- Yuck!
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- Dust pan got full a lot!
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- Note cigarette butt in dust pan
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- Cultural symbol
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- Somebody has BAD taste in beer!
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- That’s a city park. Why isn’t Parks and Rec cleaning up the trash?
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- It’s too bad people don’t think to keep the pond clean
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- There were too many cigarette butts to count!
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- Now WHY wouls someone throw this in the street?
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- Action shot: a plastic bag races towards me in the wind
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- Behold! The finished product! One full trash bag!
(Note: The last photo may not be properly displayed. You should see me holding a trash bag.)
What disturbed me while picking up the trash is that people throw the trash on the streets in the first place. However, I also discovered that it isn’t always intentional. Every week the trash guys come around to take everyone’s trash to the dump. They quickly pick up the bins and in so doing small pieces of trash fly out. The wind takes care of the rest, which explains why there is often trash in my driveway and front yard.
Another disturbing detail is that the park and pond area a few blocks from my house is not cleaned up well enough by the Waltham Parks and Recreation department. That’s too bad. Could it be cost cuts? Not sure. But it’s not the city’s fault either. It’s the fault of the people who don’t throw the trash in the proper receptacle.
So, next time you smoke or have some trash to get rid of, do your best to throw it in the trash bin or ashtray (for cigarettes of course). Also, once in a while pick up the trash around your building. I’m not saying you have to go out for one hour like I did. Just pick up one or two pieces of trash and throw it away in the dumpster. After a few weeks of doing that, you’ll notice less trash around your neighborhood.
The good news is that the street from which I picked up the trash still looks better. Now, I can say there is less trash in the street because I cared enough about my community.
August 28, 2010 at 8:55 pm
You did more than your part. I love the idea of a neighborhood trash pick up. People become more aware of the issue and their own actions. It promotes individual responsibility. However, I know from experience that when people see and individual cleaning up the neighborhood, some will be inspired to do the same. Now, after hearing of another friend who picks up trash on her daily walk, my husband and I often take a bag & a handled “grabber” to pick up the trash. It makes a difference in the environment, our enjoyment (it actually increases!) and hopefully impresses the people in our community to make a difference. Every bit counts. Attitude matters!