This month our tips focus on litter. It’s vital we all properly understand the impact litter poses to so many aspects of the environment.
Litter getting into our drainage systems and building up to the point where it causes a blockage is the obvious issue.
Less obvious is the wider damage to the environment and wildlife. Litter, whether it’s discarded plastic bottles, food packaging or cigarette butts, isn’t just unsightly it seriously disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
Small mammals and birds become entangled in plastic bags, six pack rings and the like leading to suffocation or starvation. There is also the potential for wildlife to ingest litter having mistaken it for food with potentially fatal consequences.
Decomposing waste, even simple stuff like crisp packets, releases chemicals into the soil and water courses causing contamination and restricting the growth of plants which are an essential part of natural drainage.
So yes, litter is not just unsightly and dangerous to wildlife it has the potential to have a detrimental impact on our local flood risk.
Always take your litter home or use the litter bins around town. It is never too early to instil this basic common sense discipline into young children. Good habits learnt in childhood stay with you throughout life.
