Biofriendly steps to help curb pollution

 clean up pollution in parks

Image by biofriendly

I don’t know about you, but I am one of those people who would rather walk the extra few feet to a trash can to throw something away than just pollute by dropping it on the ground.  I just can’t, with a good conscience, throw trash on the ground.  I mean really, what kind of biofriendly message would that send to my kids, much less what it does (or doesn’t do) for the planet.  But as evidenced by all the pollution I regularly see on the ground while out and about, it is obvious not everyone shares my views.

To be honest, my 3-yr old daughter is better than most people (even myself sometimes).  Although she is the kind of person who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty or “icky”, when she sees trash on the ground, she runs over and picks it up without any hesitation.  Then she looks around and has me help her find the nearest trash can to put it in.  She will pick up almost any trash and wouldn’t even think of dropping trash on the ground.

Not everything she picks up is clean, obviously, but I want her to keep that viewpoint of keeping areas clean.  So I keep an eye out and help her if needed, that way she doesn’t get hurt trying to do a good thing.

If she actually sees someone polluting she usually says something like, “Mommy, they shouldn’t do that.  That’s not okay.”  And she’s right, they shouldn’t.  It’s amazing how aware kids are and how many simple lessons can be learned from them.  If more people took these lessons to heart, we’d have a lot less trash and pollution to clean up.

One thing everyone can do is find out about and participate in Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup.  It’s the nation’s largest community improvement program and takes place annually from March 1st through May 31st.  To find out more information or to volunteer or organize your own clean up, click here.

With all the actions being taken to lower harmful emissions in cities (like hybrid vehicles, using public transportation, car-pooling, fuel additives, etc.), the Great American Cleanup is something everyone – no matter your age – can do to help clean up and make your city even more biofriendly and less polluted.  I suggest checking it out. 

Post a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *