Museum of Litter

The 22nd Challenge

On Earth Day 2010, I remember someone making a comment about the hype of Earth Day. His point was everyone seemed to feel they were doing so much if they attended a one-day-a-year Earth Day event. He said we should be pitching in on a regular basis (I agree). As Earth Day is always celebrated on the 22nd, he suggested using the 22nd each month to do something special. I LIKE that idea! Also the number 22 has special significance to me -- it's my birthday. So, whoever you are*, thank you for that great idea. I'm running with it. I'm issuing:
 
 The Monthly 22nd Challenge
Using the 22nd as a reminder, what can we each do? Look around as you go through your day. Are there 22 pieces of litter you can pick up? Can you pick up everything in a 22 foot radius? Can you pick up litter for 22 minutes or even 22 seconds?
 
These are the first 22 pieces of litter I saw this morning. It took me a little more than 22 seconds, but not much -- probably 2 or 3 minutes at the most. Some of the pieces are very small pieces of plastic or cigarette butts. They are what I consider the worst... so small that they are easily ingested but not digested by wildlife causing birds, fish and turtles to die. This may not be a lot picked up, but every single piece is important.

Every litter bit hurts. Every little bit helps.
 
I'd love to hear from you. Let's start a conversation about litter to make those who are unaware more conscious. Please share your ideas and experience. *LIKE* us on Facebook.  If you take photos I invite you to post them on Facebook's Museum of Litter page.

If you're on Twitter, follow @MuseumofLitter. Together we can #twitterlittteraway.
 
* I wish I'd remember who's idea using the 22nd was so I could give credit. If it was you or you know who it was, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. Thanks!
 
 

Cuban Toothpaste safely reaches dry land on Florida beach

A toothpaste tube,  believed to have floated from Cuba, landed safely in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, in late July.

Julio Omaña, a Lauderdale by the Sea resident, walking with his wife Joan, spotted the plastic litter along the shore. It was discovered on dry land above the high tide line. Under the Wet Foot-Dry Foot policy, it will be allowed to remain in the United States.

Mr. Omaña turned it over to the Museum of Litter for documentation. The toothpaste, going by the name of Perla,  mint flavored, is manufactured in Cuba by Suchel. It was identified by the markings: "fabricado en cuba por Suchel."

It will be housed in the museum's "Personal Hygiene & Cosmetics Collection" where it joins toothbrushes, tooth flossers,  lipsticks, lip balms,  hair curlers, and an eyelash curler.

Literary Litter Freak

Just finished Carl Hiaasen's book Sick Puppy. LOVED it! In the story the eco-hero messes with a litterer!!!!!!

I'd read several of Hiaasen's popular novels, but not this one. My friend, Ted, from Maine, gave me Nature Girl when he finished and said he's reading all of Hiaasen's books. I'd never thought to read all of them. Duh. Thanks, Ted, for giving me the idea. I'm reading them in chronological order, starting with the first ones co-authored with his late friend and colleague, William D. Montalbano.

Although I am surprised no one mentioned Sick Puppy to me, knowing how passionate I am about litter, I'm glad.  Imagine my amazement and delight,  to discover a recurring theme of the book was outrage about littering. Part of the story even takes place, on our street, in our town.

If you haven't read it, it's highly recommended. Hilarious Hiaasen humor. If you daydream about what you'd like to do when you see someone litter, you'll find this book absolutely hysterical. It's not only a fun read, it's informative.  As a Florida  native and nature lover, I learned a lot about Florida ecology and landmarks. For example: I didn't know Florida has a National Crocodile Wildlife Refuge.  I love Hiaasen's writing, and this book is especially near and dear to my heart. Thanks, Carl

Litter Donations from July 4, 2010, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL beach

Here are pictures of the litter left behind from the 4th of July festivities.

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It was rainy all afternoon and evening of the 4th, with intermittent scattered thunder storms, so there were not a lot of beach-goers for sun or fireworks. I picked up only four bags worth of litter this morning from behind Aruba, Anglin's Pier, Oriana and south to the Datura Portal.

Lauderdale by the Sea has a contract with a beach raker that combs the beach and picks up most of the debris. However, the equipment doesn't go to the water's edge and they are not set up to separate the recyclables. So, I concentrate on picking up litter at the shoreline (to prevent it from joining the Atlantic Garbage Patch); the recyclables and broken glass. I leave the rest for the raker; especially the fireworks, some of which did not detonate.

Of the four bags worth of litter I gathered, one bag was trash, two bags were recyclables and the fourth bag was my 'pick of the litter' to add to the Museum of Litter's collections.

Sunrise Litter pickup May 23, 2010, at beach in LBTS, FL

 

This morning I was happy to meet Scott, Jill and Zoey Zigler who were out  picking up litter at sunrise on the beach just south of Anglin's Pier. Nice family. Between the Zigler family and me we had picked up 11 bags of litter (on this relatively clean beach), that fortunately will never make it to the Atlantic Garbage  Patch. You can see there are lots of plastic water bottles. Luckily, Lauderdale by the Sea, which is fast becoming known as ECO, has recycling containers at most of the beach portals. So, everything that could be recycled was recycled. Thank you Scott, Jill and Zoey for making a difference!

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Return of Lost iPhone leaves me disillusioned, by George!

It was a disappointing experience that left me sad and empty. No 'happy ending' pictures this time. They say you should never post or twitter when you're angry. I wonder if the same is true of when you're sad.

George could barely be bothered picking up his phone. First he wanted me to drop it off at the desk of the hotel where he's staying. I told him I have a retail shop in town and couldn't leave work but was just a 10 minute walk or 3 minute drive away if he could come pick it up. I gave him the address and he said he'd be here at 12 or 1. At closing time, just as I was wondering about calling him in case he'd lost my address, he called for directions. Still talking to him on the phone, I walked outside to visually direct and wave him in to our strip shopping center. George and friend pulled up in a black convertible to where I was standing in front of my shop. With the engine still running, George's first words were,"So, where's the phone?" He had the look and feel of a charismatic Jack Nicholson classic bad boy character.

I was taken aback. I was expecting friendliness. "Would you like to come into the shop?" I asked.

"No, we don't have time," he answered, "I'll come in your shop another time."

I was shocked! I found the time to track him down, call him and he didn't even have time to walk in and get his phone? I had happily looked forward to returning his phone. I try to live by the golden rule. I sure would want someone to return my lost phone (especially an iPhone). A couple of people mentioned keeping the phone or selling it. They think I'm naive or idealistic but I feel good about doing what I believe is the right thing to do. All I was hoping for was a little of the happy feeling you get when you do a good deed and help someone and connect with them. (Yes I know my Ego is encroaching here -- time to reread Eckhart Tolle).

I just wanted connection.  George just wanted curb service.

Found ANOTHER iPhone on FL beach in zip 33308

This is the second iPhone we've found on a Fort Lauderdale area beach this week. (I think we are meant to have iPhones -- we keep 'calling' them to us!)

This one was found on the beach in Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308, which is just north of Galt Ocean Mile. It was  buried in the sand, between Palm and Hibiscus portals. I am trying to track down owner. Seems they might be visiting from MO. If you know someone who recently lost their iPhone on the beach have them contact me at:

sharon@MuseumofLitter.org

Cigarette Butt Makeover ;)

BEFORE: Cigarette Butts collected in 1/2 hour (March 6th) at our Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL monthly beach cleanup:

AFTER:

Angel of Green #13, Medium: Cigarette Butts and Bottle Cap (upcycled), Acrylic, Recycled Mat, Frame & Museum Glass

and

AFTER:

Starfish #1; Medium: Cigarette Butts (Filter Paper), Recycled Mat, Frame & Museum Glass

Museum of Litter in the News

There was a great article about us today by Don Crinklaw in the Fort Lauderdale SunSentinel -- in the East Side Forum (pg 11) and the Eastsider (pg 6). Here's a link to a readable copy of the article:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-esb-litter-0128-20100128,0,7058162.story