Littering Awareness by Sofia Estelles

 Did you know that by the year 2050, plastic could outweigh all living creatures? It’s predicted that by then, there might be more plastic in the ocean than fish, based on weight. This shows how serious littering has become in the world we live in today, and it all starts with one simple action,  throwing away your trash.

It doesn’t take much to clean up after yourself, whether it’s at school, in the cafeteria, or even around campus. When people leave trash behind it can end up in storm drains, eventually ending up in the ocean. By taking a minute out of your day to throw away or recycle your waste, you’re helping your school stay clean, making it easier for your custodians, and overall helping the environment. 

 I asked our school custodian Juan for his opinion on this topic and he said, “Students leaving a messy area is upsetting and concerning…because they don’t take the effort to properly dispose of their trash when necessary.” He continued that his team has to pick up what students don’t dispose of.

Even though the plastic problem is huge, small everyday actions can make a major impact. Something as simple as throwing away your trash or choosing to recycle helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the ocean or on the side of the street. This same simple action can take place anywhere at any moment, even at school. Keeping school campuses and community areas clean encourages others to do the same, creating a chain and being a leader of positive and beneficial habits. If everyone does their part, even in the most simplest ways, we can protect our planet and make sure it stays healthy for the people who come after us.