Comments on: Survey says: litter bad, taxes worse

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:45:25 +0000

The city and water are a mess because the perverse mentality of the majority of the residents. Throwing your trash on the ground is socially acceptable. Until this attitude changes, every solution is just a band aid.

By: YCKTR

YCKTR — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:02:02 +0000

Hate to burst your bubble, but there are plenty of struggles going on in this town that people perceive as MUCH more important than where they throw their trash. I don’t agree with that mentality, but then again, I have a nice condo downtown and I don’t need to feed a drug habit, much.

What does that mean? I’m not sure. But it would seem to me that if people were proud of thier city, they might do a better job of keeping it clean. Fact is, there are far too many people living on the bubble to rely on ad campaigns and other media driven encouragement.

I think the deposit idea is GREAT. People understand money…the incentive is built-in. But I think it’s also worth mentioning that it’s time to start holding people accountable for their actions. As a downtown resident, I can express to you how ANGRY it makes me to walk past a bustop and notice that the trash and bubblegum are most concentrated in the 20 foot radius around the stop. Maybe that’s one place to start.

By: Evan

Evan — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:46:49 +0000

Or perhaps, crazy idea here, smaller community groups could volunteer to pick up litter on weekends in locations that they choose (inner harbor or surrounding/contributing watershed), maybe even get some sort of corporate or public sponsor to donate like what, 200 bucks toward trash bags and gloves for the people?

christ we really do have a complete lack of civic duty in this city, don’t we.

By: Daily Breather

Daily Breather — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:38:48 +0000

I agree with Harriet. Unfortunately the green revolution in this country is still in the sales pitch phase. We haven’t been totally sold yet. I agree that a bottle/can deposit works, and works well. I grew up in Michigan where deposits were and still are $.10. You couldn’t find an empty bottle/can if you tried. My dad just calls them “dimes”. They add up quick. Imagine that. A deposit that you get back AND help clean the environment. Oh, and you can make minimum wage at a tailgate party if you can grab the emptys fast enough (this I know).

By: harriet

harriet — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:08:29 +0000

deposits on cans and bottles would be a start. programs like green for going green where you get paid to recycle. campaigning slogans are not going to make people care. money does. hit the public in the pocketbook and you’ll get results.