Pastor Ken
During a recent hike in Zion National Park, Utah, I spotted a candy wrapper on the trail that had likely been dropped by a child. I picked it up. Knowing it was too dirty to go in my backpack, I held onto it until I reached the trailhead, where I disposed of it properly in a trash bin.
At each trailhead, a sign typically reminds visitors to “Pack it in. Pack it out. No garbage collection in this area.” Whether someone accidentally dropped trash or the wind carried it away, when I saw litter, I felt compelled to pick it up. In fact, I was simply following the lead of others. One day, a few years back, I reached the end of a hiking trail and found myself at an alpine lake with shimmering dark blue water. Nearby, a serene spot offered a place for hikers to rest, enjoy a snack, and take in the scenery before heading back. As a small family packed up to leave, they left behind an empty snack pouch. A kind-hearted woman in her middle age noticed the litter, picked it up, and tucked it away in her backpack. At that moment, I was struck by her quiet act of stewardship. Up until then, I’d focused on maintaining cleanliness myself and perhaps gently encouraging others to do the same. It had never occurred to me to take on the responsibility of picking up after those who didn’t adhere to the rules.
When I was young, I had a fondness for candies. One day, while out with my father, I indulged in a sweet treat. As I puzzled over where to discard the candy wrapper, my father advised me, “Put it in your pocket and dispose of it in the trash can at home.” Back then, public trash bins were scarce, leading to the casual disposal of small items like wrappers. Though seemingly insignificant on its own, if countless individuals follow suit, the environment can quickly become littered with debris. It is incumbent upon every citizen to cultivate responsible habits and refrain from thoughtlessly discarding garbage.
In my neighborhood, there are plastic bags available on lampposts in the park for dog owners to pick up their pet’s waste. It is recommended that owners bring their own bags to dispose of the waste properly. If they do not have their own bags, they should use the ones provided and deposit them in the public trash bins to maintain a clean environment.
The issue of waste management poses a significant challenge in human society. Statistics reveal that, on average, individuals in the United States generate 4.5 pounds of trash per person per day, a figure that is notably higher than the global average of 1.6 pounds per person per day. While this may indicate an abundance of resources in the U.S., it also reflects a culture of wastefulness. The method of waste disposal in the United States varies from state to state, depending on factors such as land availability and population size. Decision-making in this regard is typically delegated to local governments and communities, who determine the disposal methods in alignment with federal guidelines. Each state possesses its capacity for landfills and recycling facilities. Ultimately, finding the optimal solution for waste management remains a complex and ongoing challenge.
We should strive to own less, appreciate and care for our possessions, and limit waste to reduce trash. When we discard items, it is important to follow local guidelines and separate general waste from recyclables.
Never take a small piece of candy wrapper lightly. Keeping our environment clean is everyone’s responsibility.
