Museum of Litter

 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

 

Litterbugs aka Tossers aka Wankers

The following was copied from a post on the Museum of Litter's Facebook page. The comments started out funny and had me in stitches so I wanted to share them with you:

I was driving behind a lady in this car for several blocks. I saw her pitch a butt at one red light. Just before she stopped at the second red light I saw cellophane fly out her window. I wasn't able to pick up her litter (safely) but I did speak to her. I ran up to her window saying, "I just wanted to thank you," and handed her one of the Museum of Litter's Thank You for your *donation* cards. I was afraid she might toss the card out the window, creating more litter, (had my video rolling), but she didn't. Hopefully she'll read the message on the back of the card telling how long it takes commonly littered items to decompose and how litter maims and kills wildlife. Hopefully, she'll learn and become one of us!

134 People Reached · 13 People Talking About This

 

Like ·  · Share · February 23 at 8:04am

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• Sabine Hanse and 7 others like this.
•  1 share
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    Gavin Swan In Australia we call them tossers!

    February 23 at 8:07am · Like ·  1
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    Museum of Litter Hi Gavin. Is tosser the person that does the tossing or the butt?

    February 23 at 8:26am · Like
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    Gavin Swan The person....a tosser is also someone that jacks off! LOL

    February 23 at 8:28am · Like ·  1
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    Gavin Swan So basically if ya litter ya a wanker!

    February 23 at 8:29am · Like ·  3
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    Gavin Swan Calling someone a wanker is an insult where I came from!

    February 23 at 8:30am · Like
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    Gavin Swan Oh and toss also means to throw!

    February 23 at 8:37am · Like
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    Stacey Wood Love these comments.

    February 23 at 8:49am · Like
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    Balloons Blow A lot of tossers and wankers around here. Giving your card out is much nicer than what I do, I usually yell at them "LITTERBUG!". Or hold up a sign in my car that reads, "Please use your ashtray!" LOL, wanker, my new favorite word :)

    February 23 at 8:51am · Like ·  2
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    Museum of Litter Stacey: Me too. I'm sitting here, seriously LOL. In my hippie days I traveled in Europe with a group of people, mostly Australian and South African. The SA's used to say: All Aussies are wankers :-) - guess they weren't saying they were litterers, ha ha. So, all litterers are wankers.... that's tweetable.

    February 23 at 8:58am · Like ·  1
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    Museum of Litter Gavin: Thanks so much for what you've added here and the good laugh!

    February 23 at 9:00am · Like ·  1
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    Museum of Litter Balloons: I used to yell too. And hand them back their trash. What I realized is it just pissed them off and they were either mad or me or just thought it was ME that was crazy. I realized they weren't getting the message I wanted to impart at all. So, now I *kill em with kindness* I figure if I can disarm them with kindness, smile, and (very nicely) say thank you maybe, when I am gone and they don't feel threatened, they will read the info and actually think about littering in a different way. I call it Perceptual Alchemy (have a series of paintings like that).

    February 23 at 9:06am · Like ·  1
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    Museum of Litter These THANK YOU cards are a FREE download at www.MuseumofLitter.org in the Gift Shop.

    February 23 at 9:06am · Like ·  1
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    Balloons Blow I'll print some up for sure!

    February 23 at 9:15am · Like ·  1
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    Peter Joosten So do you have a video of this conversation you had with this lady?

    February 23 at 11:07am · Like
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    Wes Whitaker well done!

    February 23 at 11:42am · Like
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    Museum of Litter Peter: no video Rats. I wasn't that organized. Maybe next time. GREAT idea. Wes/Kermit. Thanks!

    February 23 at 12:19pm · Like
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    Peter Joosten A picture of the driver then perhaps? I thought you said you were filming?

    February 23 at 12:22pm · Like
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    Museum of Litter I filmed after I got back in the car in case she tossed the card -- She wasn't young enough for you - you little flirt :-)

    February 23 at 12:26pm · Like ·  1
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    Sea Angels You are awesome!

    February 23 at 2:44pm · Like
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    Museum of Litter Thanks SeaAngels-Robyn. It was uncomfortable/scary but fun.

    February 23 at 2:49pm · Like ·  1
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    Kathy Silverio I second that. You are awesome! I always want to do that when people throw stuff out their windows. Sea-Angels

    February 23 at 8:28pm · Like
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    Museum of Litter Thanks, Kathy. It IS fun. The tongue-in-cheek *Thanking* them has turned the whole thing around for me. I don't get angry anymore when I see someone litter. It feels fun and funny and opportunity. It almost becomes performance art. Each time is a different experience.

    February 23 at 8:38pm · Like ·  4
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    Kathy Silverio Love it!

    February 23 at 8:41pm · Like
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    Diane Berman I remember the first time you told me you did this...it had to be 30 years ago. You have always been ahead of your time!

    February 23 at 9:45pm · Like
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    Museum of Litter Big smile, Diane. Thanks. The amazing thing is we are STILL dealing with litter after all these years. This is something that is so easily solveable. I hear Japan and Singapore are litter free. Why not US?

    February 23 at 10:13pm · Like
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    peaceful protest against litter I am so enjoying this conversation :D Good to be able to laugh sometimes :) Great idea of the card in the car saying : use your ashtray and the thankyou-cards... you guys (girls!) are so creative... it will take time but we'll show those wankers... sorry TOSSERS :)))

    Friday at 1:02pm · Like
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    Museum of Litter Yeah, these comments have kept me chuckling. Thanks to Gavin Swan for starting it off on a wonderfully wacky note. Wonder if the "tosser" is reading this and seeing the joy and laughter she's brought to us all and that so many of us are impacted by her actions. How tossing on a city street in Fort Lauderdale, 1/2 block from the beach, rippled out to Australia, Belgium, Miami, and up and down the South Florida coast. Ms. Tosser, we all thank you (and hope you mend your ways).

    Friday at 1:57pm · Like

Keep yOUR beach clean

 

If fish were transparent

JR Surfriders -- You kids will save the world

Recently I got together with thirty Jr. Surfriders, ages 7 to 11, in an after school class taught by Ed Kirik at Plantation Park Elementary (Plantation, FL) to make 

greeting cards from litter. Ed heard we make art from litter and thought it would be a cool project for his class. We dumped the litter in a big pile on the floor and the kids really got into it,

crawling around on their hands and knees selecting *art supplies*. The school provided glue and scissors. In addition to litter, I brought recycled card stock, paint, ink pads, stamps, decorative scissors and decorative hole punches.

It was lots of fun and they were amazingly creative. I loved seeing which pieces of littered trash they picked and how they used them. 

When I asked who thought litter was a problem, every hand went up. When I asked why, they knew all the answers. They know all about the Pacific Garbage Patch and Atlantic Garbage Patch and what you can do to help. They told me how litter can kill and maim wildlife. These kids know their stuff! They know more about the importance of litter prevention than most adults. Jr. Surfriders: You kids are awesome!

Thanks Ed and Surfrider for educating engaged, passionate kids. You're doing a great job. These kids are very inspiring!

 

Thanks Jr. Surfriders. You kids are definitely Earth Heroes speaking up for mother earth. Thanks for caring and leaving the planet cleaner & greener than it was left for you. 

A cleaner shade of green

Been to a litter clean up lately? You're out there to do something good for the environment, you're greeted with a smile, handed a garbage bag, a pair of gloves .......... HOLD ON A SEC.

Think about it. Lots of volunteers each wearing single use gloves, carrying a single use plastic bag. Often those huge bags are each filled with just a handful of litter.

SeaAngels is doing something about that. I recently met SeaAngels when I visited their Ocean Ridge, FL monthly cleanup.

SeaAngels Monthly Cleanup at Ocean Inlet Park, Ocean Ridge, FL

I was impressed with their commitment to cleaning up in the most sustainable way possible. Their motto is: CLEANER BEACHES IN A GREENER WAY. And they do just that!

Michael Halasz, SeaAngels, handing grabber to young volunteer

THEY PROVIDE:

*Reusable plastic buckets 

*Grabbers

*Reusable gloves

THEY RECYCLE: 

After the cleanup they sort the litter and recycle everything that can be recycled, even batteries and mono-filament fishing line. And this is no easy feat. The Solid Waste Authority cannot provide recycle containers because they don't have the budget to empty them. So SeaAngels carts it themselves after every cleanup to Palm Beach County recycle bins. 

THEY EDUCATE & ENTERTAIN:

*Have info board to educate and give out personal on-the-go ashtrays.

*Provide free snacks.

*Provide water in a green way:  a huge keg with paper cups.

Kathy Silverio, SeaAngels; Sharon Huff, Museum of Litter; Robyn Halasz, SeaAngels; Nina, Eco Adventures standing by SeaAngels info table

Every environmental group could learn from the eco-conscious considerations SeaAngels puts into their cleanups. I have. I bought a pair of reusable plastic gloves for my planned pickups. I still carry and use disposables for unplanned pickups in my daily travels or for dealing with nasty items like used condoms, but I will use less. Thanks SeaAngels for guilting me greener.

Green congrats, SeaAngels. It's a LOT of extra work,  but SeaAngels talk the talk AND walk the walk!

What do YOU think about SeaAngels methods? Do you have any eco habits that need changing? What works for you? Please share. We can all learn from each other as we work together for a cleaner, greener, litter-free planet.