To the editor,

Last month we had the opportunity to participate in a town cleanup in which we experienced the appalling conditions of litter in our area. We feel that society should be made aware of the negative impacts of littering.

Perhaps the most obvious impact of trash is the negative effect on animals and the environment. However, the impacts made on our town’s aesthetic value, family values and society are more prevalent and have longer lasting effects.

Trash is very unappealing to the eye. When tossed on property such as roads and lawns, the value of the town is lowered. The trash seen in our town leads to the domino effect. If you see trash on the road, you are more likely to litter yourself. If this continues, our town’s litter problem will continue to increase.

If children see trash on the ground, they are more likely to grow up thinking it is okay to litter. This has a large effect on the environment’s future.

One way our town can reduce trash is to not only stop littering but to also teach the next generation the effects of improperly disposed trash. The next generation looks up to the role models they have now.

We have to be serious about educating the public on the negative effects of trash. Many people don’t realize that one person’s pollution can have a large effect on the entire community. This could guilt people into properly disposing of waste.

Participating in the town cleanup has made us realize that the trash problem in our town is out of control. We as a community need to be aware of the environmental and cultural impacts of litter. We need to become aware that our habits and impulses are oftentimes copied by the younger generation.

If we want to make a change, we need to start by setting good examples for younger people. This will lead to a cleaner, better, happier Wareham that everyone will wish they were a part of. This is our home, and we have to start treating it like that. You wouldn’t throw litter all over your kitchen floor would you?

Joe Nash, Kiah Heron, Hayden Butler, Paige Fehskens, Julia Fluegal, Angela Pearle, Aleksandra Jensen
Mr. Craig Berriault’s AP Environmental Class - Wareham High School