What Exactly is Litter?

Litter is anything unnatural that is left outdoors. The amount of litter that ends up spoiling the beauty of the natural environment is not surprising considering the amount of waste we produce. Bottles, plastic packets, cans, newspapers, cardboard, and other junk litter urban and rural landscapes everywhere.


What's the Problem with Litter?

Litter is not only ugly, it can last for a long time, for example aluminum cans do not disintegrate, and some plastics take hundreds of years to break down. Living in a littered environment can have a depressing effect on people, and it can also injure and kill wild animals. For example...

• Hedgehogs can get their heads trapped inside plastic yogurt cartons, tin cans and polystyrene drinks cups. They can be attracted inside by the leftovers, and are then unable to reverse out because of their rearward facing prickles. This can lead to death by starvation.
  
  

• The plastic loops which hold cans of drinks together (6 pack holders) can make a similar trap for wildlife. These have been known to catch and kill diving birds when discarded in the sea. These problems can be easily avoided by simply cutting the loops with scissors before throwing them away.
  
  

• Floating plastic bags look like a tasty snack to many marine animals, but can kill if they are swallowed.
  
  

• Swans, ducks and geese can get their legs, wings, or necks trapped in discarded fishing line. Fishing hooks can get stuck in a bird's throat. Birds can die from lead poisoning if they swallow small lead fishing weights.
  
  

• Broken glass can cut the feet of foxes and badgers, and unbroken bottles present a hazard to many small animals. Voles and mice crawl inside bottles to drink and then cannot climb back up the slippery sides to get out.
  
  

• Lizards crawl inside bottles or cans to bask in their warm interiors, or to find food. If they are unable to squeeze out again they can die of overheating. Replacing the lids on bottles and jars before discarding can help prevent this. Making use of your local recycling centre is a better option.
  
  

What Can You Do to Help?

• Look at the products your family uses. Is there a lot of extra packaging that is not needed? Tell the manufacturer by letter, phone or e-mail. They have offices set up to handle your concerns.
  
  

• Don't buy from companies who refuse to reduce unnecessary packaging.
  
  

• Put your rubbish in an animal proof bin to keep any wild animals out.
  
  

• Cut up plastic bags and six pack can holders to prevent injury to small animals.
  
  

• Remove tin can tops completely.
  
  

• Buy sticky labels from your favourite charity and re-use envelopes.
  
  

• Make use of your local recycling collecting points. Separate glass, metal, paper and plastic into different containers and make one trip to save energy. If there aren't any local collection points, ask your council to provide them.
  
  

• Squash aluminium cans before taking them to a collection point. This takes up less space, so fewer lorry trips are needed to collect and empty the bank, which saves even more energy.
  
  

• Teach others about the need for protecting animals from litter.

Comments From UK Safari Subscribers...


"This is how I deal with littering people by the bus stop, in the park etc... : I pick up their sweet wrapper and hand it back to them with a friendly "I think you dropped something". Too embarrassed to do otherwise, folk usually stick the stuff straight in to their pocket. If it is children involved, I stop to explain why I think it is not a good idea to litter - I have never had a negative response yet. Kids are very happy to be educated and I can only hope that there are enough people out there willing to educate. 
I think what matters is HOW you say these things that will make the difference between being seen as a 'busy-body' or someone who just really cares about our environment and wildlife. - Mieke.



I have been picking up litter with others for the last fifteen years at our Local Nature reserve. I felt self conscious at first, but now I am quite used to it and other people are following our example. Too many people feel that it is beneath them and that someone else should do it, but the truth is that there is so much, we could probably employ half the population picking up the rubbish dropped by the other half. Everyone should do their bit and try and shame the litter louts and dumpers of old furniture etc. - Anne Bryan - www.cwmtalwgwoods.co.uk




Twelve Billion Plastic Bags
The Shelf Life of Litter