Living in a
metropolitan area comes with benefits — access to public
transportation, interaction with a wealth of different
people and cultures, and availability of many different
kinds of products, foods, and experiences to enjoy. But
with such a richness and density of life also come
certain pitfalls: like waste that clogs
pavements and streets. For example, residents
of London have recently noticed a sharp increase in
littering around their city. This litter is bad for
Londoners who see it as an eyesore, and it's
also bad for the environment, wildlife, mobility and
accessibility, and general human health. Yet some tenants'
associations say their repeated complaints about the
littering problem have gone unheeded. We can't let this
problem continue to get more and more out of
hand!
When refuse
piles up on the edges of pavements and streets, it
becomes extremely difficult or even impossible
for people with mobility challenges to get
around. That includes — but is in no way
limited to — people who are blind, use wheelchairs, or
are elderly. Navigating a constant maze of unexpected
items underfoot can quickly lead to injuries and falls,
or worse. On top of that, items like plastic bottles and
more can leach toxic chemicals into our
waterways and soil, poisoning the very earth
and water we rely upon each day. And of course, both
wildlife and pets often mistake trash for
food — eating things that can clog their
throats and stomachs, or can be laden with diseases. This has already
resulted in shocking, painful animal
deaths.
Several years
ago, London's borough councils came up with plans to
reduce waste, boost recycling, and thus cut down on
litter in the city. But these Reduction and Recycling
Plans, or RRPs, were developed before the COVID-19
pandemic began and government resources across the globe
were suddenly stretched very thin. The RRPs originally
laid out are a wonderful start, but there is
still obviously a lot of work to be done to cut down on
litter in London. Sign the petition to
demand that London's borough councils uphold their
commitments to waste reduction, and do everything in
their power to keep London safe and
clean!
