Take your ‘Litter-Warrior’ status to the next level

Level-up your ‘Litter-Warrior’ status by picking up other peoples’ rubbish

(Blog#5 KAB Week 2024: Take your ‘Litter-Warrior’ status to the next level by cleaning up rubbish while you’re out and about)

In 2024, most of us are aware that littering isn’t acceptable. Despite this knowledge, 130,000 tonnes of plastic still leaks into Australian marine ecosystems every year. For those of us who are using the right bins, bringing our reusable items out with us and always trying to make thoughtful sustainable purchases, this statistic might feel disheartening. The good news, is that there is another way we can impact this outcome; by cleaning up the rubbish we see while out and about. Check out our top 5 tips for stopping the litter that isn’t necessarily our fault from entering the natural environment.

1. Join a Clean-Up Group
   Joining a clean up group is a great way to get out and about and take meaningful action to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the natural environment. If you’re in Victoria: BeachPatrol & Love our Streets volunteers meet ones a month to clean local beaches, streets or parks and meet likeminded people who are passionate about preserving the environment and protecting wildlife. In Sydney there is the Northern Beaches Cleanup Crew, that meet monthly. Clean Up Australia also have a platform to help you find a clean-up event near you. Google clean-up groups in your local area to get involved!
2. Arrange a Clean-up event
   If you can’t find a clean-up group near you – why not create your own event? Get your family, friends, neighbours, school, workplace or local community group together and head to your local beach, park or neighbourhood and start cleaning up! Make sure to sort waste items you collect into rubbish versus recyclables and hazardous waste and dispose accordingly!
3. Take 3 for the sea
   The organization take3 encourages everyone to take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or anywhere! When you see rubbish lying around, you have the chance to stop it from harming our native wildlife by picking it up. Don’t ignore rubbish just because you didn’t create it, bring a rubbish bag in your car for any litter you find on the ground while out and about.
   
4. Don’t be a clean sweeper
   A clean sweeper is someone who pushes away or ignores other people’s rubbish. While it’s easy to excuse yourself from cleaning up others’ rubbish by telling yourself it’s not your responsibility, the simple action of picking up a piece of litter can actually feel really empowering. Doing the right thing, not because you have to, but because you know the consequences of litter and you have the opportunity to prevent it in that moment, can increase your feelings of agency. Plus, it might really, as they say, prevent a turtle from suffocating on that piece of litter one day.

It’s one thing to take responsibility for your own rubbish, but to have an even greater impact, don’t turn a blind eye to other people’s rubbish. Together, our little actions add up towards a cleaner litter-free environment that helps our special native animals thrive!

Photo by: Ron Lach on Pexels

WRITTEN BY: Rosie Starr (KAB Content Creator – Volunteer)