Littering: Let's Clean Up!

It seems that the slogan for the famous PSA "Give A Hoot, Don't Pollute." is a very distant memory.  Littering was once controlled. Now in many prominent and public areas, it's like people have literally stopped giving a hoot.

During the 80s and half of the 90s, there was an entire campaign to corral littering and proper disposal of trash. You had Woody the "Give A Hoot" Owl, the crying Native American, and even "The More You Know" commercials. Adopt A Highway also became really popular during this time. Groups of various types and causes set out to keep a couple of miles at a time clean by picking up trash. Recycling also became big as people became more environmentally sound. Laws and fines against littering were even approved and enforced.

So now what has happened now that we are more than a decade into the millenium?

I hate to say it, but it seems the older generation is fading, and failing to properly exercise the principles of clean public areas to the next generation. Therefore, what you have are scores of younger folks that are unaware and out of touch with how our lands should look. Basically, the standards have been lowered and unmaintained for about 20 years, like our roadsides, parks, and even street corners.

I have driven through a few cities over the past couple of months, observing the overall cleaniliness. In a word, I have been disappointed.  Police have to catch litterbugs in the act and they often have other agendas than trying to see who is making our streets dirtier.

How can we return our streets and grounds to what we once knew? Well we can make Adopt A Highway more prominent again. Next, you can start your own clean up crew. Speak to city officials first for approval. Also, write, call, and email your government representatives to put a curb on this. We have escaped a recession, two wars, and many doomsday tragedies in this millenium. Littering is a battle that can be won easier, especially with returning to basic values and principles.

Okay it's time to clean up!  Time to give a hoot again, and to dry the tear from the Native American's face.