Our beautiful city, London Ontario, has numerous parks and a network of trails. I frequently walk on nearby trails where I encounter people of all ages, including groups of school children (and their teachers) joggers, cyclists, and children accompanied by parents, who feed ducks or catch and release frogs. But I am often saddened by the plastic bags and bottles, beer cans, coffee cups, styrofoam containers, candy wrappers, rotting food, empty snack bags, cardboard, paper, kleenex, cardboard boxes, and scrap paper that line our streets, spoil our trails and clog our parks. The amount of litter thrown on public property exceeds the capacity of City staff and ordinary Londoners who voluntarily pick up debris.
Sister Pat with Jerry Pribil, London Council Member
A week ago, I spoke to Jerry Pribil, the Council member responsible for London’s parks and recreation departments, about the problem of trash in our city. Mr. Pribil suggested that he accompany me on a walk. Accordingly, we walked along streets and the connecting North London trail adjacent to Ross Park. Mr. Pribil pulled a large garbage bag out of his pocket and proceeded to pick up garbage, hopping over the barrier along the ravine and reaching through bushes. We mourned this regrettable garbage situation and discussed possible remedies. I learned that Mr. Pribil, a member of Antler River Rally, participates in their monthly cleanups. In these events, large groups of volunteers gather at an area in London bordering the Thames River to pick up and dispose of large amounts of trash. Information about this amazing organization may be found here. You may even want to join the group.
During our walk, we discussed the deplorable problem of garbage littering London’s parks, trails, and streets. Removing trash is essential but prevention is far more desirable than a cure; we need both. Occasional letters to the London Free Press indicate that Londoners are disturbed by the lack of cleanliness on our streets, trails, and parks. We require a culture shift. How, as a community, can we develop a mindset that views littering on our streets as unacceptable? How might organizations, businesses, and home or apartment owners help with the litter problem? What constraints deter action and how can they be overcome?
I invite anyone reading this blog to respond by choosing to take one action towards resolving the problem of litter in our city.
-Sister Patricia McKeon, csj
Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash