The frustrations of trying to keep Greenz clean

We have been collecting signatures to ask the Government to implement the Abatement of Litter Act 2015 (Yes, 2015!).

One minister has told us that Government welcomes the initiative as a measure of public opinion. (For those who do not like littering: the petition can be found online for a few more days at http://bit.ly/3XziOaQ )

Most people signed with alacrity, and several asked for empty signature sheets, so that they could themselves collect. But the reaction of the refusers/decliners has been most instructive.

“What’s in it for me?” asked a security guard at a hotel. I explained that the benefits are real, just not instant. Think toothbrushing; you can eat sugary things and not brush your teeth for months, maybe years, but inevitably the teeth will decay, and you will have pain, gum disease and extractions. So, it is with plastics poisoning soil, sea, and, if burned, air. He wasn’t impressed; he is undisturbed by litter, even though the guests at his hotel clearly hate it, which impacts his long-term employment prospects.

“I don’t sign petitions.” This was the receptionist at an insurance company office. Odd. Think of the health claims from people contracting dengue and chikungunya; or the cost of damaged infrastructure caused by litter-blocked drains. But no, the embarrassment (I suppose) resulting from being one signature submerged in over a thousand overrode concern for the health of individuals and of the institution she works for.

“Not everyone thinks the way you do,” said the pharmacist who was automatically putting tiny boxes of prescription tablets into little plastic bags, which were equally automatically accepted by a queue of customers carrying bags which could contain and conceal, many such boxes. I disagree with the pharmacist. This is fact. Knowledge: not ‘belief’. If people just knew the damage caused by each little plastic bag, they would refuse them.

“I don’t need to sign: Jesus will protect me,” was a surprising response. Protect from what? The rising tide of litter was just outside the door. Much of it was in a drain that leads into the sea, at a place where locals bathe, and tourists snorkel. I asked if she knew anyone who had had dengue, chikungunya, or cancer. No, she said; she knew of no one, not family, friends or neighbours. Surprising, when you recall that chikungunya affected 65% of the population. I had always thought that Christians cared for their fellow (wo-)man. Apparently not: Jeremiah 2:7* and “Love thy neighbour” notwithstanding.

“This is the wrong petition. I would sign one that bans plastic bottles.” This from another security guard. A typical tactic: deflection. Yes, plastic bottles are a huge problem, a real disposal headache; but we are concentrating on improper disposal — plastics in sea, soil, rivers, ditches. Plastics and other substances attract mosquitoes that bring us diseases and put off the tourists that bring us money because they are only too visible. But the security guard is comfortable with that.

“He’s got more sense than you.” This from the woman with a toddler aged about 2, with a big stack of garbage mixed with cutlassed vegetation near her home/shop, which was clearly intended to be burned. Backyard burning of plastics leads to the release of dioxins. There are few if any, more potent causes of cancer. I said that this was almost as dangerous to the child’s health as letting him walk unattended close to a busy road. “He wouldn’t wander onto the road,” she said. “He’s got more sense than you.” A few days later, I saw a child of roughly the same age slip out of its father’s hand and into the road. Fortunately, the oncoming car was able to hit the brakes and swerve just in time.

Finally (for now), the Grenadian Big Lie. “People are paid to pick up litter. You are depriving them of an income.” This may be true of some events. But even there, venues are cleaned, but roadside drains and rivers are not, beyond a certain distance. The many discarded food boxes attract rats and rainwater. Years ago, GSWMA workers asked marshals at a school road run to tell the children not to drop little plastic bags as they ran. “You should be grateful,” they were told. “We creating work for y’all to do.” That was rude and provocative. Solid Waste’s job is to empty bins, not follow children with a shovel. If litter creates paid work, we should all drop our household garbage in the road— and watch our taxes rise through the roof.

The Abatement of Litter Act provides for fines for dropping litter or throwing it out of vehicles and heavy penalties for dumping (as at Mt Hartman, Savon Swayzee and elsewhere.) Grenada Green Group (G3) is about more than just petitions. If you are interested in our work or in the details of the Act, please contact us at [email protected] mentioning this article. We will send you information. [n.b. greengrp, not greengroup]

* “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.” The anti-litterer’s Bible quote!

Grenada Green Group