By John E. Weare, Keep Alliance Beautiful
“We should go on a litter walk,” my daughter suggested after supper as I was complaining about the trash around town. Even my wife’s second graders were asking why our town was so dirty that week. I put the blame on the late winter and spring wind, yet if those little bits of trash never leave pockets or vehicles “Mariah” has nothing to spread. So, anyone up for a litter cleanup?
Lately when I have had a plastic shopping bag I have also had a dog on a leash who, more often than not, takes priority over litter. However, gathering trash on a daily walk is a dandy way to keep a specific area clean. As the weather has warmed my walks, sometimes with other family members, reveal litter just about anywhere in Alliance. If the candy wrapper is not literally underfoot, peer into the bushes on the left. Yep, and there are a few energy drink cans, more wrappers, a cigarette butt or two and a handful of half decomposed items caught in the landscaping from last autumn.
The only litter pickup I am privy to is the one I schedule along the highway north of town twice a year. Twenty years (or so) ago we routinely unearthed old steel cans and glass bottles that had been there for decades. Guys and their families who volunteer now knock out that stretch in about 90 minutes with maybe a dozen bags over four miles of Highway 2/385. Kathy Worley assisted several regular groups during her time as executive director of Keep Alliance Beautiful. I will try and acquaint myself with them this spring as more cleanup crews scour the parks, athletic fields and public places this month and next. Their commitment is valued. Paid employees often do not have the time or resources to provide the same service.
Carolyn recently posted a challenge on our Facebook page from Keep America Beautiful asking every American to gather 25 pieces of litter. It may be an arbitrary number though the idea is sound. Chances are if your children find 25 apiece it may evolve into a family contest. Before you know it the yards and the alleys are spotless. Keep America Beautiful is expected to release data on its latest national litter survey. It will be interesting to see how the “if everyone would . . .” philosophy would impact litter numbers.
Maybe more people are accepting of litter 26 years into the new century. Perhaps it is hard to see when whizzing by or walking while looking at a tiny screen. No, I’m confident more people than not would rather not see litter on the streets of our local communities or along country roads in between, for that matter.
Well, KAB can help. Stop by our downtown office. We are located in the basement of the City Municipal Building – 324 Laramie Avenue. Come down the stairs (watch your step) on the northeast corner of the building and we’ll provide you or your group with gloves, bags and a set of orange grabbers. Efforts also help us with in kind hours for grants that fund the bulk of annual operations. Please call ahead, 762-1729, as we are often out of the office.