What a Humane World Looks Like: Picking Up Others' Trash

Yes, ideally, there shouldn't be trash to pick up in a humane world -- in such a world, folks would pick up after themselves. But, to help nudge us along that path, I recommend picking up others' trash (using proper equipment, of course). I spent the better part of a morning doing just that on Saturday. Our co-housing community had it's monthly work party, and part of our property abuts a couple of fast food joints whose parking lots slide right up against a hill that's part of our wetlands. It never fails that someone thinks it's a good idea to dump their trash down our hill. We've seen everything from tires to toilets. On Saturday most of the trash I picked up was plastic bits and cups from the fast food restaurants.

I could have gotten angry about the unkind, thoughtless people who dump their junk in our beautiful wetlands. And, of course, I'd like people to stop doing that and start disposing of their waste responsibly. But, I actually felt good picking up the trash and being out in the natural world. I was erasing eyesores and hazards and helping the wetlands become more beautiful again. It was almost like helping out a friend.

Back when I was in college, before recycling was a household word, every few weeks my husband and I would grab some trash bags and walk three miles along a busy street in Wichita, Kansas, picking up trash and recyclables. Our treat at the end for our work was a sugary, fluorescent-colored ice-drink at a fast food restaurant -- and the knowledge that we were doing a good thing. Even though it was a busy street crowded with asphalt, sidewalks and buildings, it looked better without the paper wrappers, pop cans and miscellaneous cast-offs.

I have a friend who takes a trash bag with her whenever she goes hiking, so that she can pick up the trash strewn along the trails. I've seen people walking toward a department store see a piece of trash fluttering along the parking lot and stop to pick it up and put it in the trash can.

It may seem like it's not our responsibility to pick up others' trash, especially when it's something that sometimes can be "gross." But, someone has to do it. And, if the people who "should" aren't, then it's up to those of us who have an awareness and desire to create a just, compassionate, beautiful trash-free world to do so. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it's great role-modeling for those who are watching. They may be giving you the "Are you kidding?!" eye now, but you've planted a seed about a different way of living.

Give it a try :)

~ Marsha

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