Harsher penalties for littering

 

I have used several of my columns to highlight the need to put an end to the disgusting practice of some Barbadians of just dropping refuse indiscriminately.
 
It has become so second nature for some locals to finish that refreshing sno-cone or those greasy fries and just drop these containers wherever they happen to be passing at the time.
 
I have seen persons get up and leave empty juice boxes, biscuit wrappers and of course, plastic bottles behind on picnic tables or public seats, even when a trash receptacle is mere feet away.
 
Then there are those who in purchasing one item, discard the plastic bag immediately upon leaving the store.
 
It seems as though some persons just have the attitude that it doesn’t matter because it is not at my house.
 
After all, as some have selfishly said: “The Sanitation Service Authority needs work, don’t they? I am keeping them employed.”
 
It has been spoken about over and over again, how littering risks our health, contributes to flooding, the destruction of our beaches and harm to marine life, but it seems that all this kind of speechifying is disregarded the minute the sound fades from the ears of many listening to it. Having been on the receiving end of many curse words while speaking to persons I have seen littering, I know this will not be an easy task to change the behaviour by just increasing education and awareness.
 
The time for such talk is over. If Barbadians cannot respect their island enough to keep it clean because of their own morals, then simply make them pay for contributing to this problem.
 
Countries all around the world have implemented anti-littering laws in recognition of the fact that prohibiting such behaviour is for the protection of the wider country.In Singapore, for example, which is one of the cleanest cities in the world, persons dropping a single piece of trash can be fined up to almost Bds$1600 for the act; while repeat offenders are required to pick up trash in a public place for a few hours, while the press are called in to cover the event.
 
With the human condition to avoid embarrassment in most situations strong in many Barbadians,  it could be that the threat of this alone would make a definite difference in the behaviour. And of course, any thought of money being taken out of one’s pocket might instil the pause in what is currently the reactive behaviour of dumping any empty container from one’s hands quickly.
 
Of course, such an effort may place more of a burden on the under-resourced police force, but I believe the matter is of such relevance and importance that no stone should be left unturned in dealing with this social canker.
 
The use of social media can also be embraced to ‘shame’ these individuals and to call out their actions. Our country deserves better.

Barbados Advocate

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