The issue of litter is an important one

RE: ON COUNTRY DRIVES AND EMPTY BEER CANS (MARCH 7)

This piece raises issues that we as Ontario residents tend to dismiss frequently. Do we not see the abominable extent of litter populating our ditches and side walks?

It is getting to a point where we will no longer be able to dismiss this amplifying issue.

As an Environmental and Sustainability student at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, every time I return home, I am reminded of the litter issue in my hometown and surrounding area. I am frustrated and disconcerted with the state of our beautiful province. I want to be proud of where I am from, but our litter issue is extremely deceiving.

Though this act of littering is not only dangerous for commuters, it is hazardous to our environment.

According to UBC building operations, people litter for many reasons, some of which being; they believe that someone else will pick it up, litter has already accumulated and/or they think that litter is not an important environmental concern.

For smokers, it has even become a socially accepted norm to dispose of cigarette butts wherever they please.

Litter is expensive to clean up, unhygienic and ruins our beautiful Ontarian landscape.

Toronto’s “Littering says a lot about you” campaign is inspirational and accurate.

Like Latham Hunter, I also believe that this kind of litter is eternally difficult to comprehend, though the way you treat our environment says a lot about who you are as an individual.

We only have one planet, so we better start taking care of it.

Baylee Hood, Burlington