A labourer has been stabbed to death for dumping garbage on the public highway. How unutterably sad that such a final outcome to an act that causes great angst to Guyanese should bring an end to a life when there are solutions compatible with Guyana’s Constitution that can cure this scourge.But enforcement of the laws, or lack thereof, is the real problem that is creating much chaos in the nation. There are anti-littering laws in Guyana, as there are in most civilized societies; but they need to be enforced. Maybe they need to be strengthened and become more punitive, but they do exist. However, for all intents and purposes they may very well not exist for all the good they do law-abiding citizens, especially when it comes to littering in the city of Georgetown and its environs.
Guyana was once a country with a culture of cleanliness ingrained within its national psyche. The current state of Guyana’s environment from end to end of the coastland bespeaks a converse attitude of disregard for the health and wellbeing of the nation, as well as unconcern for the gradual deterioration in the scenic landscape of this paradise-like country, once described by colonials as ‘The Magnificent Province’. The evidence of Guyana’s current culture of littering, which has become endemic to the Guyanese society, is manifested to visitors on the highway from the CJIA – heaped intermittently in piles right until they reach their destination; sadly, in or out of the city.
Litter consists of waste products that have been disposed improperly, without consent, at an inappropriate location. To litter means to throw (often man-made) objects onto the ground and leave them indefinitely or for others to dispose of, as opposed to disposing of them properly.
Larger hazardous items such as tires, appliances, damaged vehicles, electronics and large industrial containers are often dumped in isolated locations on public land.
It is a serious environmental issue in many countries. Litter can exist in the environment for long periods of time before degrading and be transported large distances into the world’s oceans. Litter can affect quality of life of both humans and lesser animals on land; as well as aquatic life.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, with trillions indiscriminately discarded annually. Cigarette butts can take up to five years to completely break down.
Various areas in Guyana proliferate with garbage and show extensive littering of plastic and paper. Human waste, illustrated by the urinating man, as well as fecal matter, increase bacteria levels on land and in the water.
Throughout animal history, people have disposed of unwanted materials without fear of retribution, onto streets, roadsides, in small local dumps or often in remote locations. Prior to reforms within cities in the mid-to-late 19th century, sanitation was not a government priority. The growing piles of waste led to the spread of disease, with plagues often wiping away thousands of lives at one instance of affliction.
To address the growing amount of waste generated by citizens many countries have enacted solid waste disposal laws, which give authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate and enforce proper hazardous waste disposal. Many countries now have laws that require that hazardous waste be deposited in a special location rather than sent to landfills with regular refuse.
In addition to intentional littering, almost half of litter on roadways is now a result of accidental or unintentional litter, usually debris that falls off of improperly secured trash, recycling collection vehicles and pickup trucks.
Illegally dumped hazardous waste may be affected by the costs associated with dropping materials at designated sites; some facilities charge a fee for depositing hazardous material. Access to nearby facilities that accept hazardous waste may deter use. Additionally, ignorance of the laws that regulate the proper disposal of hazardous waste may have an impact on proper disposal.
Young people cause more litter than the average Guyanese. Automobile drivers and recreationalists, smokers and youths are specific groups that have the proclivity of indiscriminately dumping litter, despite the fact that the same individuals admit that they enjoy a clean environment.
Negligent or lenient law enforcement contributes to littering behaviour. Other causes are inconvenience, a feeling of entitlement and economic conditions. Also unavailability of public trash and recycling service, shortage of enforcement, and habit are possible causes. The presence of litter invites more littering.
The implications of understanding the different types of litter reduction interventions that will most effectively reduce littering in a given environment are essential to enhance quality of human life.
Litter can remain either visible for extended periods of time before it eventually biodegrades, with some items made of condensed glass, styrofoam or plastic possibly remaining in the environment for periods. Litter usually travels through storm and rainwater systems, ends up in local streams, rivers, and waterways. Uncollected litter can accrete and flow into streams and drainage canals. Litter in the ocean either washes up on beaches, or settles at the bottom of oceans. Most marine debris originate from land-based sources. This proves of great danger to aquatic life.
Some litter that is collected can be recycled; however degraded litter cannot be recycled and eventually degrades to sludge, often toxic. The majority of litter that is collected goes to landfills.
Litter can harm humans and the environment in different ways. Hazardous materials contained within litter and illegally dumped rubbish can leach into water sources, contaminate soil and pollute the air.
Tyres are the most often dumped hazardous waste. Many discarded tyres end up illegally dumped on public lands. Tyres can become a breeding ground for insect vectors which can transmit disease to humans. Mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant water, can transmit typhoid, dengue and malarial viruses. Rodents nest in accumulated tires and can transmit deadly diseases.
When tires are burned they can smolder for long periods of time, emitting hundreds of chemical compounds that pollute the air causing respiratory illnesses and/or cancer. Additionally the residue left behind can harm the soil and leach into groundwater.
Open containers such as paper cups or beverage cans hold rainwater and provide breeding locations for mosquitoes. In addition, a spark has the potential to hit a piece of litter like a paper bag which could start a fire. Also bottles or discarded glass can start a fire through reflecting the sun’s rays.
Litter also carries substantial cost to the economy. Cleaning up litter costs millions of dollars, much more than the cost of proper trash disposal, for costs totaling billions per year. Animals may get trapped or poisoned with litter in their habitats. Cigarette butts and filters are a threat to wildlife and have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds and whales, who have mistaken them for food. Also animals can get trapped in the rubbish and be in serious discomfort. For example, the plastic used to hold beverage cans together can get wrapped around animals’ necks and cause them to suffocate as they grow. Other instances where animals could be harmed by litter include broken glass lacerating the paws of dogs, cats, and other small mammals, fishing nets caught on the necks of seals and turtles, or plastic swallowed.
Organic litter in large amounts can cause water pollution. Cigarettes could also start fires if they are not put out and then discarded in the environment.
Public waste containers or street bins should be provided by local authorities to be used as a convenient place for the disposal and collection of litter. Increasingly, both general waste and recycling options should be provided. Local councils should pick the waste up and take it to reuse or recycling. However there are issues with this approach. If the bins are not regularly emptied, then overfilling of bins occurs and can increase litter indirectly. Some local authorities will only take responsibility for rubbish that is placed in the bins, which means that litter remains a problem. People may blame a lack of well-placed bins for their littering. Hazardous materials may be incorrectly disposed of in the bins and they can encourage dumpster diving.
Volunteers, sometimes alone or coordinated through organisations will pick up litter and dispose of it. Clean up events may be organised where participants will sometimes comb an area in a line to ensure that no litter is missed. Companies and organisations can commit to cleaning stretches of road.
A number of organisations exist with the aim of raising awareness and run campaigns including clean up events. Government continually expend huge amounts of national revenue; but the long-term solution to the problem lies in the citizens themselves becoming aware that it is not a ‘them’ problem, it is an ‘us’ problem; because the threat to health and public safety means that, in the words of Martin Carter, “…all are involved….”, so if an epidemic breaks out all would be consumed.
The act of murder is not the appropriate or desired response to the vexing problem of littering; only enforcement of extant laws can curb this scourge that is making scenic areas of our beautiful country into eyesores and health hazards instead.
