PICKING TRASH TO CLEAN NATURE
1) A sense of community by helping to keep it clean.
2) Teaches your children to GIVE as they watch you do it.
3) Keeps toxins out of the planet.
4) If someone sees you doing it, they may be inspired to pick one day as well – adding to the goodwill in your community.
5) Saves the water ways from pollutants. (especially doggie waste)
6) A great way to get some exercise “walk and squat” – could be the newest in exercise trends!
7) Save’s dog owner’s arms from being pulled off as their dogs sniff out every bag, every tissue and every wrapper dropped o the ground.
8) Recycling the plastic picked instead of it going into landfills.
9) Clean parks, streets and beaches are safer for our children, from their feet to their hands. Garbage is not only dirty it can be sharp and dangerous,
10) Saves wild animals and fish from eating unnatural substances that destroy species.
Every year, an estimated 8 million tonnes of litter enters the world’s oceans. Plastic poses the biggest threat to marine wildlife as it doesn’t just disappear; it simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, and has detrimental effects on food chains, working its way up from the tiniest plankton into the bodies of sharks, whales and dolphins.
But it’s not just our marine life at risk from litter. Mammals like hedgehogs and birds like swans frequently suffer injuries as a result of getting caught up in waste.
Any litter removed from a natural ecosystem helps wildlife and creates a better space for humans too! Counteract litterbugs by being a litter picker. You don’t have to be on an organised litter pick to help, just pick up any rogue litter when you see it and pop it in the bin! Or how about going for a walk and picking up pieces as you go?
It’s not just our marine life at risk; animals like hedgehogs and swans are often injured by getting caught up in litter
Top tips for picking litter:
- Be prepared: Carry gardening gloves with you (or a litter picker if you have one!) when you’re heading out on a walk in case you spot any litter – they’ll protect your hands from anything mucky or sharp. If you don’t think you’ll come across a bin, bring a bag so you can carry any litter away with you.
- Stay safe by staying away from needles and not picking up anything with human waste (like nappies), electrical items, or holding any potentially dangerous chemicals. If you’re not sure what it is, don’t pick it up. Take extra care when picking up anything sharp.
- Report any of the above items, anything you think might be dangerous, or any dumped electrical items or paint to the local council or landowner. If you come across a fly-tipping site, or a dead animal, report it.
- Sort your haul: Instead of chucking it in a regular bin, you could go one further and separate what you’ve collected to be recycled! If possible, safety-proof anything you find that could be a danger to wildlife if it ends up in the wrong place further down the line, for example, cutting up 6-pack rings or plastic bottle cap rings.
- Wash your hands: Always make sure you wash your hands properly after picking litter!
