I read the first two letters to the editor in last week’s Cape Gazette shaking my head. One writer lamented how the carry-in, carry-out policy of 30 years ago is no longer working. “People had morals then” was his take on the current lack of personal responsibility pertaining to trash in our wildlife areas. Another view that I consider is that we've all taken the concept of freedom too far. Being free should not mean doing what suits you in the moment with no concern for others who may come after you. The moral problem has become a societal problem.
Several times a year, my wife and I load up our car with bags and boxes and travel to Redden Forest for our regular “clean up after the binge” dates. We have a midsized SUV with lots of room, and we are unable to pick up all the beer bottles and trash in just one trip. Honestly, it usually takes three or four visits to get most of it. I have to intermix the beer bottles into my regular recycling for many weeks before it is all processed. Who doesn’t know that it is wrong to throw trash on the ground and leave someone else to deal with it? (Insert second head-shake here).
When my son visits and we walk the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail, he always takes a bag with him to grab a stray bottle or can along the way. Thankfully, at least near the trail, the trash situation is pretty good. We do find it amusing though that some dog walkers like to pick up their dogs’ poop, tie it in a nice plastic bag, and then just drop it right there. Another job for “somebody else.” (Final head-shake).
What can we do? “Call on our politicians to …” Yeah, OK. “Put up signs and tell these people …” Yeah, OK. I really do not have the answer; it’s too complicated for me to solve. But I do have an action item that can be done in the meantime: Pick up after yourself – and after others, when and how you can. It’s really not too much to ask and really not that difficult to do.
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