LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA
London, Ontario has more than 500 parks, 7 million trees, and in excess of 330 km of walking and biking trails, all maintained in excellent condition by our city staff. This year, the abundance of rain has caused our trees, bushes, and grasses to bloom like a tropical rainforest. London’s website provides abundant information to entice exploration of this richness. It is a great pleasure to explore our well-kept streets, parks, and trails. Yet, there is a blight that mars our city. The roads and pathways are infested with empty bottles, beer cans, plastic containers, coffee cups, tissues, candy wrappers, plastic bags, and other debris. Although some Londoners don disposable gloves, pick up “junk”, and dispose of it in designated receptacles, the plague persists and seems to overpower benevolent efforts to eradicate it.
Litter impacts our waterways
I wonder what transpires in the minds of those who treat public spaces as garbage cans. Perhaps they were not properly educated about environmental responsibilities? Do offenders expect others to clean up after them? Do they consider the effects of their actions on the beauty of our city or the pleasure of others?
Nature & Litter - an unsightly mix
I know this is not unique to London and I wonder what could be done to develop a culture in which each of us feels responsible for creating and maintaining the natural attractions of one’s city.
In a less than benevolent mood, I mused about imposing fines on offenders, assigning them to pick up debris, or scrub the graffiti from park benches, bridge support structures, and railings. Sadly, I suspect that such measures would feed anger and instigate strident claims about “rights and freedoms”. It is the selfless and caring actions of others, not criticism, that inspire me to be more generous and desirous of building community. So, some alternate suggestions come to mind:
Would our City Council and community businesses consider creating an honorary white knight position with the “knight” being appointed by Mayor Josh Morgan? The knight’s responsibility would be to distribute certificates and vouchers randomly to persons of any age whom he or she sees picking up garbage or cleaning graffiti.
Arrange for more garbage containers at convenient locations.
Order garbage bags and protective gloves to be supplied to volunteer environment protectors and enhancers.
Lead by word and example in properly disposing of the garbage we generate as we drive, bicycle, or walk on our streets, parks, and trails.
Donate vouchers to be awarded by the honorary white knight, e.g., a gift certificate for a coffee shop, grocery store, theatre production, hockey game, hydro bill payment, Blue Jays' game, Stratford play, iPad or phone.
Volunteer to remove graffiti from public places.
Select artists and aspiring artists to paint murals in appropriate locations.
Publicize examples of how our combined efforts contribute to the splendor and enjoyment of our city.
We can't solve the garbage problem alone, but together we can contribute our ideas, time, and talents to support and create a beautiful environment in London, Ontario, and in all of our cities.
-Sister Patricia McKeon, CSJ
