How Does Littering Affect the Environment?

Litter removal in Bellevue.
The reasons litter ends up in the environment are varied, but the sad truth is that the majority is intentional. Laziness, lack of receptacles, lenient laws, and the presence of existing litter are all contributing factors to why people toss their trash. Litter removal in Bellevue and across the nation is critical to protecting the environment.

But how does litter hurt our green spaces?

Polluting Earth, Air, & Water

Over time litter degrades into micro-particles, and as it does so it moves deeper and deeper into the environment. Chemicals also leach out of products like cigarette butts and can end up in our freshwater sources. Burned litter also releases toxins, polluting the air. 

Killing Wildlife

A well-known and understood fact of litter is how it can endanger wildlife. Animals can get caught in it and also try to eat it. Unfortunately, the story of litter and wild animals rarely ends well. 

Spreads Disease

Litter is garbage, and as such, it can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites into sensitive environments. Animals and humans can become ill from improperly disposed of litter.  

Aside from everyone taking responsibility for their garbage, solutions to removing litter include attending clean-ups, asking government agencies to enforce stricter littering laws, and increasing the number of available garbage bins.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Perks of Hiring a Parking Lot Sweeping Service

The Benefits of Street Sweeping

About Day Porting