Collecting litter

Dave and I don't live in the best area. The park up the road often features litter strewn across the ground. It is likely that people buy snacks and drinks at the nearby shop and then discard the packaging as they walk through the park. There is also a reserve down the road from our house, which also contains a lot of litter (as well as some ugly burnt out cars). Some people obviously think that the bush is an appropriate place to dump their garden and building refuse, and anything else they don't know what to do with.

For about nine months after we got married, I'd walk past all this and think "oh, that is ugly". After a while I began to think that if others could litter, I could surely collect their mess! So in June on my regular walks I began to pick up some litter.


Whenever I decide to pick up litter on a walk, I always end up with a bag full like this. I don't pick up every bit of litter, as it would take too long and ruin the enjoyment of the walk. I've come across some things that are disturbing, including one item I phoned the police about as I thought it might be indicative of child abuse. There is also a lot of broken glass which I haven't worked out how to collect yet.


I am beginning to notice a difference in some areas. To me, this is just one way to live out our Creation Mandate to care for the earth. God gave us a beautiful world to enjoy, and we can do our bit to keep it that way.