Here at the Bonnyville Nouvelle, we hear from a lot of different people, on a variety of issues. But for the past few years the issue of garbage and other waste being carelessly trashed in places it's not supposed to be has come up with increasing regularity.
Blame has been placed on everyone from irresponsible residents of the area, to disrespectful visitors only here for recreation or work. People blame industry for polluting, or they blame the town, city or the MD for not taking the proper responsibility.
Truth is, until we find a better way to deal, getting rid of waste properly is everyone's duty, not just the government or industry, or the garbage collection company. To maintain a clean and healthy environment, it's up to each and every individual to take care of the place they are at in that moment, regardless of their role in society.
It's sad to see and think of the messes left in the ditches along highways, in rivers and along their banks, at beaches, in lakes and throughout parks in the region, not to mention the garbage strewn about in parking lots and on the streets of our own towns and cities.
Residents pay taxes so the municipalities can employ people to clean up other peoples' messes, sweeping the streets, picking up trash along trails and cleaning other public places. It's a bit ridiculous, isn't it? Organized garbage collection is one thing, but surely we can find a way to throw our own Timmy's cup in the trash bin. It's no wonder how garbage gets everywhere in the first place. Blaming the birds and the wind only gets us so far.
As it stands, it appears the only reasonable route to take at this point is to encourage everyone to do their part in cleaning up after themselves, as the benefits of simple tasks like using the not-too-complex trash can, or carrying out the slightly more labour-intensive tasks of reducing, reusing and recycling what you are able to before throwing it away, will be felt by generations of humans. Whereas, the negative reverberations of waste and pollution are already being experienced in our food and water and the air we breathe.
And for those that care enough to offer to clean up after the careless and disrespectful few, you are greatly appreciated, and there are still ways to do that too.
As part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, on Sept. 20, starting at 10 a.m. there will be a cleanup along the shores of Cold Lake, and on Sept. 23 starting at 9 a.m., there will be a Shoreline Cleanup around Jessie Lake in Bonnyville, hosted by the Beaver River Watershed Alliance.
Although it's sad to see the amount trash hauled out of lakes and their shorelines each year, there is hope one day bodies of water will be of enough value to all of us that they won't need to be continually cleaned up.
