HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Peaceful Protest Against Litter -- 6 months old

The Museum of Litter is a BIG fan of Peaceful Protest Against Litter (PPAL). We really resonate and agree with founder Eef's approach to educating about the importance of litter prevention in a kind and peaceful way. For only being 6 months old, PPAL is a child genius at creating eco-community. I learn a lot from Eef and have asked her to share her thoughts and experiences. 

GUEST POST by PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST LITTER's founder, "Eef":

I clearly remember the moment that I felt the spark to engage in clean ups.  I was watching one of these many youtube videos on the devastating effects of environmental pollution. I felt I needed to do something. I have always been green at heart. As a child too. When I saw a beetle drifting upside down -- dead -- in our water tank......... I cried my eyes out. Even now I cannot watch some of the terrible footage about wildlife, sea life being injured or killed because of the carelessness of us human beings. When I saw this particular film (it was about piles and piles of plastic debris washed up on a shore) I just felt a flash of lightning going through my heart. The man in this video said: "not doing anything is no longer an option".

The very next day I went out on my first clean-up. It was just in my own street. I live in a city, Antwerp, Belgium. So we have the luxury of paying taxes for the city services to clean up our mess. But even then we find a lot of litter on the streets. Mainly soda containers (coca cola)  and energy drink containers (red bull) and plastic bottles of all sorts. The first time (august 28th 2011 -- a summer night) I asked my boyfriend to accompany me. He -- being somewhat timid -- agreed to come along but only when it got dark... (so nobody would see us).

In the light of all that occured following this first event, I find that really amusing and endearing. Because after minutes it became clear to me that this cleaning-up to me would become something that I wanted to devote all my time and energy to. And I did. That first clean-up we used  disposable plastic gloves (shame on me) and an ordinary plastic bag to put the trash in. In the first week we bought a litter-grabber and we got a special white container from our municipality. They give out litter-grabbers and special red trashbags to litter-volunteers. So now we have a whole collection of about 15 grabbers (just in case...)

Sometimes I regret only having two hands to clean up... Apart from this individual clean up I started to engage others to join in. I asked neighbours to gather and clean a specific area where we live. Or the park. I don't tend to just roam the street with other volunteers. I mean, I can do that by myself. When we do clean ups with more people we choose a specific spot mostly a square or a park. That has the most impact (in result of the clean up and on passers-by). 

I started a Dutch blog and a Dutch facebook page. Dutch is my mothertongue. I found it very interesting to get in contact with other like-minded people and projects. I realized that most of what you find on litter and marine debris, plastic soup or plastic pollution is in English (youtube, facebook, articles on the internet etc.). So I started  my English peaceful protest against litter blog and English peaceful protest against litter facebook page. This turned out to be "the pot of gold".

I mean, I could have never realized how many people worldwide are out there doing the same thing. Caring for our planet, putting the word out, trying to motivate others to clean up, trying their absolute best to make a positive change happen... This made me lost for words. I could have never realized meeting such inspiring, totally awesome people from India to United Kingdom, from Norway to Australia, from USA to Germany. It has been an absolute honor of virtually meeting so many incredible like-minded souls. We share our stories, our pictures of clean ups. We share a mutual indignation about the absolute horrible impact of litter and debris on wildlife and sea life.

What's so great about these intensive contacts is that we -- as a team (even living apart for thousands of miles) can make a difference. To point out the dangers of a balloon release for example or weigh in on discussions, find ways to get the ear of people who pollute or litter. What's absolutely crucial is that every single one of these green ladies and green men out there do this in the way that they see fit. With their own drive and passion. With their own talents and gifts. Not everyone has a blog and a facebook page. That is just fine. Some people work hard behind the scenes. They join in at clean-ups. Some are founders of organizations. Some make beautiful artwork out of litter (really amazing!). Others do a lot of research and post articles. Some focus on cigarette butts, others on balloons, etc. Some have a more pessimistic approach, some are maybe overwhelmed by the amount of work that has still to be done. Others are light-footed, light-hearted, maybe borderline naive (I count myself in this group). 

Even in the first couple of minutes of that first clean up I did with my boyfriend I realized: I could get really very frustrated doing this really fast. And I choose not to. That is a very conscious decision for 3 reasons. First to be able to do this kind of work for a long time and to have fun doing it (very important!). Secondly as a form of self-protection. And last but not least because I strongly believe that no positive change has EVER come from a pessimistic, over-critical, sour, bitter outlook on life.

That is why I started Peaceful Protest against Litter. I like to call it my 'movement'. Because it moves me. Everyday. And I hope to get other people moving as well. I love to talk about this topic that is so close to my heart. I strongly believe that together in joined forces - over boundaries over nations and countries- we can make a difference together. But then we have to WALK the TALK. I chose the name of my movement carefully. I believe that PEACE is the answer to all challenges that we as humans face. I believe that PEACE is the only approach to reach out to other people. So I do this lovingly, kindly and friendly.

My 'baby' is 6 months old this week. I cherish this movement as my own child. So many good things have already come from this. It brought me incredible personal growth in learning, experiencing and connecting with other people.

 

If I could give one advice to everyone out there who has a dream (about environment or whatever topic makes your heart beat faster)... TAKE THAT FIRST STEP. Do it. Follow your heart. And the rest will follow naturally. 

All the best of luck! Take care,

Eef

 

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