Even with so many readily available options for tossing trash, some people still choose to be litterbugs.
A Reddit user recently posted to the r/Austin subreddit, showcasing a video their dashcam caught of someone throwing a full bottle of liquid out of their car window as they drove by.
They even noted that there were "plenty of trash cans in the parking lot" with easy access.
(Click here to watch the video if the embed does not appear.)
While the OP happened to record such flippant behavior, oftentimes, littering goes unchecked.
Instead of throwing trash away in the appropriate places, there are those who would rather take the convenience of haphazardly discarding waste on the side of the road. The lack of care for the impact such actions have on others exemplifies a need for education on why littering is detrimental.
When junk is not disposed of properly, it can begin to pile up and attract unwanted issues as a result.
Trash strewn around streets and neighborhoods promotes general uncleanliness of public spaces, which in turn often affects the health of those living near the refuse.
Pests like rodents, bugs, and fungi congregate in dirty areas, and continuous litter contributes to growth in their populations, and subsequently, the spread of any pathogens they may carry.
In addition to the adverse health issues that excess trash can create, it also causes severe detriment to the environment at large.
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Yes 👍 The non-biodegradable materials contained in many common pieces of litter, such as wrappers, bottles, and plastic bags, sit and choke out plant life trying to thrive nearby.
Animals that live in close proximity to humans — squirrels, birds, and moles, to name a few — also see significant declines in safety and health as a result of litter.
They will very often try to consume the waste humans carelessly toss, which can harm and potentially kill them. Even if they don't deign to eat the junk, they will still get curious about it and become stuck or injured as a result.
It is imperative that people take the extra minute or so that it would take to throw their trash away where it's meant to go. Just that small change in routine makes a world of difference for the protection of entire environments: humans, animals, and plants alike.
Commenters on the Reddit post shared their exasperation with the behavior shown in the video, with one mentioning how "littering is one of those things that some people do that indicates a lot about their general personality. It's like a tiny litmus test that determines how much they respect their local community."
Another added that "people can just be so lazy," and a reply corroborated the sentiment with an exclamation of cynicism: "Wow. What a time to be alive."
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