Trash on trails is not only unattractive, it’s incredibly harmful to the environment. I first noticed this problem as a child, observing when my dad would go out of his way to pick up litter that had been thrown to the side. Many years later, I still find trash on almost every hike I take. How can we keep our trails clean? Let’s first take a look at the effects of littering on the environment, and then discover how we can do our part to be sustainable tourists.
What are the harmful effects?
- Hazardous chemicals from litter can cause water, soil, and air pollution.
- Wildlife is severely harmed by toxins consumed through water streams and trash such as plastics, which are often mistaken for food.
- Pollution in habitats and ecosystems can lead to problems for humans as well, including toxins in water or food, disease-causing microorganisms, and depreciating the overall value of an area.
How can we prevent it?
- At an individual level, bring a backpack and reusable water bottle on your hike! This prevents plastic waste and gives you a place to keep any trash, rather than leaving it on the trails.
- Leave the trails better than you found them. This is a lesson I learned from my dad – if you see trash, pick it up and dispose of it properly.
- Be aware of your hiking group, if children are present be sure to keep an eye on any items they could leave or drop.
- At a community level, encourage your local government to install a trash bin or waste disposal area at trailheads or certain spots along the trail, this would allow anyone who gets antsy about their trash to dispose of it in a safer way.
Blog Posting by Hannah Bromm
Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash