If we look all around us and all over the place in our school the discarding of waste improperly has become a big problem with very significant damage upon our environment. Learners might not think it is a big deal to toss a single wrapper aside but the increasing side effect of many of these actions translates into a harmful impact on the ecosystem.
To understand the impacts of littering it is crucial make a shift towards more responsible waste management and environmental safekeeping. Littering doesn’t only make places look untidy; it also impacts the delicate balance of the natural ecosystems, for example:
• Soil contamination - Non-biodegradable materials like plastic, glass, and metal can persist in the environment for hundreds, even thousands, of years. As these materials break down, they release harmful chemicals into the soil. These chemicals can leach into groundwater, polluting vital water sources and disrupting soil fertility. The altered soil composition can hinder plant growth, reducing biodiversity and affecting the health of entire ecosystems. Furthermore, the presence of litter can prevent proper aeration and water absorption, exacerbating soil degradation.
• Water pollution - Litter frequently finds its way into waterways, either directly through dumping or indirectly through runoff. Plastics are particularly problematic in aquatic environments. They break down into smaller fragments known as microplastics, these microplastics can carry harmful toxins, which then accumulate in the food chain, ultimately impacting human health through consumption. Large pieces of litter can entangle animals, such as birds causing injury, starvation, and even death.
• Air quality - While less direct than soil and water pollution, at times the breakdown of some materials in open spaces can release volatile organic compounds which impact air quality and contribute to smog in the atmosphere. And another aspect of littering to look at would be burning litter, often done illegally also releasing toxic gases into the air, contributing to air pollution and even heightened respiratory problems.
The only cure for your litter is you! How you can help your school.
Education and awareness that highlight the disadvantages of littering help in creating a shift towards actions and behaviour around litter. It is also vital that education start from a young age, teaching children the importance of respecting the environment and properly disposing of waste/litter. By instilling environmental guardianship we empower each other and communities around us to make more informed choices that benefit us and our planet.
Ways you can make a difference now:
• Rubbish bins are placed all over our grounds and in the buildings – please put all your litter in the bins.
• Take part in a litter pick-up daily.
• Recycle paper, glass, plastic and E-waste.
• Encourage peers to pick-up their litter or report littering to your teacher.
It is important that learners encouraging each other, their family, friends and community to an extent to continually practice putting their litter – no matter how big or small the bin. Picking up litter is a practice taught at home, Mom, Dad, set a clear foundation for your Child by your own habits, little things like not throwing rubbish out a car, showing your child constantly that you pick up litter or dispose of it responsibly will instil a culture in your child to look after their environment.
Sustainable practises like reducing, reusing, and recycling, can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up as litter, this can benefit our Randpark community promote a more waste free future.
Littering, though often perceived as a minor issue, has far-reaching consequences for our environment and human communities; by making mindful choices we can strive towards a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally responsible future.
A shift in mindset of learners from convenience to responsibility, being aware that every small act of littering contributes to a bigger, more collective problem. It’s up to each of us to be part of the solution. And remember; A clean school is a happier place!
Bonakele Sithole
