We cannot walk out of our homes or travel anywhere without seeing garbage polluting our neighborhoods, streets, highways, parks, and beaches. From the plastic that lines the sides of our roadways, and the bags and balloons stuck high up in trees, to water bottles scattered on the grass at our playgrounds and washing up on our beaches, to the cigarettes that seem to be just about everywhere you turn, we have a very serious problem.
We have become addicted to disposable items, but they are not truly "disposable." Plastics are made to be used for a very short period of time, yet they are made so well and durable that they last for a long time. Many people are unaware how widespread the pollution issue really is, given the fact that most are caught up in their own day to day lives. We live in a fast-paced society; always running from one place to another, taking care of our families, and adhering to our never-ending schedules. It is easy to miss the trash if you aren’t “looking” for it, and the problem is compounded when some of us don’t even know what to look for.
Pollution is not a new problem and generally stems from a lack of awareness and environmental education in the best cases, and complete lack of respect for the planet at the other end of the spectrum. We all need to make a conscious effort to turn the tide on pollution now, or we may very well be in a horrible situation without future solution.