Effects of Litter on Our Environment

Oct. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Effects of Litter on Our Environment
   
    Thousands upon thousands of miles of coastal and water masses enrich this beautiful nation of ours. Water is one of the most important natural resources that we have. Here in America we all should be truly grateful having vast shorelines near by to enrich our lives. All of us need to take care of our water. Not only for ourselves, but for the wildlife and future generations to enjoy. Millions of tons of trash are thrown into the water areas each and every year. This trash can take years to decompose, if ever.
    A few facts on the time it takes for some materials to fully decompose:
 Paper: 2-8 months
 Plastic Coated Cartons: 5 years
 Plastic Bags: 10-20 years
 Cigarette Butts: up to 12 years
 Tin Cans: 50-100 years
 Aluminum Cans:80-100 years
 Batteries: 100 years
 Plastic Six Pack Holder Rings: 450 years
 Glass Bottles: 1 million years
 Plastic Soda Bottles: Forever
 
  As you can see, it takes some materials a very, very long time to decompose, some last forever. Some people may think that it is much easier to simply toss the trash wherever they are, instead of disposing of it properly. Improper disposal of trash has many bad side effects: harm to the environment, wildlife, and to people.  Some animals eat the litter thinking that it is food. The litter causes damages to the creatures' digestive systems. Also, litter can get tangled in the fins or legs of various animal life, which can cut off circulation or other damage to the their tissues. Fishing line and plastic six pack holder rings are the main culprit in these types of damage to wildlife. Numerous injuries on human life are experienced each year as well. Broken glass bottles, aluminum cans, and other forms of litter can cause havoc on ones' body. The water can be contaminated from litter tossed into the water areas, which makes the water harmful to consume or to swim in for humans and wildlife.  Also, litter certainly does not look very good on our beautiful environment.
    Do you want to see the same trash at your favorite water spot, year after year? What can you do about this problem of litter in our water areas? When you go to the water areas pack for the outing as light as possible. Carry with you as few amounts of future trash items as possible. Several suggestions include using cloth napkins, clean towels and rags, stainless steel silverware, glass or pottery dishes and cups, rechargeable batteries, and a thermos for beverages. Bring a garbage bag with you for all of your trash items, as there may not be any trash cans in the location that you will be going or it may already be filled. Dispose of all of your trash properly. Used fishing line should be recycled. If you see trash left behind by others, please do your part in cleaning up the water areas, by picking it up. Be careful when picking up trash. You should wear proper gloves.
    Go for a nice walk along the water. Bring a garbage bag with you, to allow you to pick up any trash that you may see along the way. You’ll get some great exercise, see some beautiful sights, spend quality time with those special to you, and leave a clean water area, which everyone can enjoy. Join an organized beach cleanup group. Start your own beach cleanup group. Do your own beach cleanup each and every time you visit your favorite water area. Especially with the high price of gas, why not stay close to home and enjoy your local watering holes? For more information look  on www.ginotheminnow.com, where Gino the Minnow encourages and educates on how you can help our environment.
Author: Scott Weston Wolford
           Gino the Minnow
           ginotheminnow.com

# # #

Gino the Minnow empowers children to help keep our environment clean through an inspiring story and education.