Every piece of litter you pick up counts!

As the World embarks on a challenging journey towards Net Zero, waste management and citizens engagement is of paramount importance. And in waste management apart from the macro level issues, one of the mounting issues is the litter we see on the roads and public places. Most of the times we are ignorant and tolerate litter and trash around us as if it doesn’t make a difference. But the fact is that, one small step of picking up a plastic bottle, a chit of paper, a discarded household material or product and putting it into a bin will make a huge difference.

Our culture emphasizes keeping our surroundings clean, our text books teach us ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. Despite this we see people carelessly throwing litter especially in public places, others are bystanders as if it is not our responsibility. If we remain ignorant of the growing litter, it will add up to the already overburdened landfills, deface our public places, beaches, tourism sites, and add to the already chocked rivers. This is the time to do a good deed that is easily possible. One piece of litter may be a paper cup, a straw, a plastic bottle etc. picked up and put in proper bin will ensure lesser harm for environment, animals and human beings.

The question is whether any litter that is picked up will turn the tide in favour of Net Zero. Well certainly it may not make a tangible difference immediately, but it is our human nature that if we witness someone doing something good, we either join in or stop doing something that could put at risk the goodness of the situation. Participating in a volunteering activities encourages other people to be more responsible with their garbage disposal. More often than not, it will inspire other people to join in. We all can stand up for better litter disposal systems while also becoming less probable to put litter into our own surroundings.

Picking up litter not only improves the visual appeal of open spaces, public spaces, tourism spots, beaches and  reduce pollution,  it also will translate into more number of visitors with better economic activity. Avoiding trash will save habitats, rivers and oceans. The advantages are short term as well as long term. But what is needed is a behavioral change in the way we look at litter. Once that happens, our pathway towards Net Zero will gain momentum.