Our trash can be life-threatening to the wildlife that live alongside us. You may not realize it, but our garbage is filled with bits of plastic that can do serious damage to the environment. From plastic straws to your chewing gum, here is how our litter impacts wildlife and a few ways you can help avoid hurting our furry friends.
Balloon Releases
Balloon releases were once a common way to remember a loved one or a special date, but studies show they are doing serious harm to the environment. The harmful effects of balloon releases include power outages and injuries to animals. The balloons and strings get tangled in power lines and in trees, leaving litter in hard-to-reach spots. Instead of a balloon release, consider alternatives like a butterfly release or planting a tree.
Chewing Gum
Birds and woodland creatures can’t comprehend what is good or bad to eat, so they don’t know that the gum you spat out in the parking lot is neither food nor nesting material. The next time you are finished with your chewing gum, spit it into a trash can. What to do with your gum if there is no trash can around? In that case, spit the gum into a napkin and dispose of the trash when you get a chance.
Gasoline
Gasoline to power cars and lawnmowers, along with motor oils, can damage the local ecosystem and pollute local waterways if not handled properly. Regular car maintenance and annual emissions tests will guarantee you are driving with minimal impact on the environment. If you come across old gas or are changing your oil at home, remember to dispose of gasoline correctly. This can be as easy as taking it in jugs to your local mechanic or fire department.
Plastic Can Carriers
Beverage companies are coming out with eco-friendly packaging to carry packs of aluminum cans, but it’s still common to encounter plastic six-can carriers. Animals can choke on the plastic, either by trying to digest it or by getting tangled up in the rings. When disposing of plastic can carriers, cut open all the holes so there is less chance of harming wildlife.
Straws
It takes 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose, and yet, millions are handed out every day at fast food establishments and restaurants across the world. When we discard straws, millions of them end up in waterways, floating out into the ocean. There, straws are ingested by seabirds and fish, or they sometimes get caught in the nostrils of sea turtles and whale blow holes. Some businesses are now supplying customers with eco-friendly straws made of recycled or compostable materials. Another, even better option is to purchase reusable straws to store at home, in the car, or in your purse!
Water Bottles
Instead of buying a bottle of water when you are out and about, bring a reusable water bottle. When you join the Massachusetts Litter Cleanup Crew, you’ll be amazed by the amount of plastic water bottles you will find littered in your community. The next time you see a plastic water bottle littered on the ground, dump out any remaining water and toss the bottle in a recycling can.
It is so easy to forget about wildlife and the environment when we discard our trash. By being more mindful of our single-use products and how we dispose of them, we can prevent our trash from harming the animals that live alongside us. Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle to protect our environment.
Gina Thompson is an experienced multimedia journalist, producer, and content writer born and raised in Texas. In her spare time, she loves catching a live band, dancing, and finding the next big taco spot. As a writer, she is passionate about making a positive impact on her community by elevating the voices and stories that need to be heard.
