Some litter is obvious. Bottles, cans, and food wrappers on sidewalks or roadsides are obviously litter. Most environmentally conscious people wouldn't throw these items on the ground and are likely to pick up litter left by others. There are items that many people do not consider to be litter but are still foreign and potentially harmful objects in the environment. Many smokers do not consider cigarette butts to be litter, yet they can last up to 10 years in the environment, contain toxins that can leach into the environment, and can start grass fires if not fully extinguished. Dog or cat poop in the wrong place can be litter, causing health hazards such as harmful bacteria in waterways or changing the nutrient composition of a stream. A large dog park in our area was recently closed because the rainfall runoff was carrying too much bacteria to the nearby stream. Balloons are litter and can be harmful to critters of various kinds. Tossing rice at weddings can be harmful to birds who eat the rice left on the ground. Chewing gum is also litter and can be harmful to critters who eat it (not to mention annoying if you step on it). Paint chips from scraping old paint off the house before you re-paint can add harmful chemicals to the soil. Even food can be litter if it’s left in a place or condition that will attract unwelcome insect, birds, or animals that then have to be moved or exterminated.
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May 2024
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