Did you know that one-third of the litter in America is caused by cigarette butts? Cigarette butts can pollute up to 1000 liters of water and take about 18 months to 10 years to decompose!

Hi, I’m Melinda! Your favorite Taiwanese-American who loves to write about Taiwan — but today our focus is to talk about green habits for a cleaner, happier planet. We'll be diving into the nasty world of litter and how YOU can help out as well!

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the trash problem

Litter isn't just an eyesore (though let's be honest, it's a major one!). It clogs drains, floods streets, and harms wildlife. Plastic pollution is a HUGE problem, choking our oceans and infiltrating our food chain. Yuck!

When it comes to littering, the issue is very apparent here in New York. It's a significant problem with trash littering the ground and flying in the sky all the time. Littering affects not only us but also the environment, including the air, water, and soil.

The presence of litter pollutes the areas that should be well-kept, decreases property values, and ruins the natural beauty of the city. Littering isn't only harmful to wildlife, as animals can get tangled in or ingest it, but it can also have consequences for humans since most humans consume meat, which is impacted by the litter we create. The toxic chemicals found in litter, such as plastic, can be washed into rivers, lakes, oceans, and forests through sewage or storm drains. Additionally, litter can lead to fires, which in turn emit toxic fumes that can cause respiratory issues, acid rain, and other significant health problems.

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how you can help!

Ready to fight back these challenges? Here are some easy wins:

• REUSABLE TOTE
  Ditch plastic bags! Invest in a cool reusable tote to carry your groceries (and look good doing it!). Let’s make it a trend!

• CAR TRASH CAN
  Don't be that person throwing your trash out the window. Keep a dedicated bin in your car and empty it regularly.

• BUTT OUT THE BAD HABIT
  Cigarette butts are a major litter culprit. Because we don’t have a proper area for people to smoke and dispose of their cigarette butts, people naturally just toss them to the side while walking or driving. This can cause a fire or worse, pollution in our water. We know smoking is bad, but there are still plenty of people who smoke! So, in order for us to work together, we need to implement smoking areas where people can dispose of their butts in an actual ashtray, rather than tossing them on the ground or in the trash, which can cause a fire or pollution.

• SCOOP THE POOP
  Dog owners, this one's for you. Dog poop is a form of littering that many people neglect to clean up, causing inconvenience for others. As a responsible dog owner, it's important to pick up after your pet. Despite the misconception that dog poop disappears over time, it actually harms the environment and soil. To solve this problem, I recommend using biodegradable poop bags instead of regular plastic ones. I've personally experienced the difference and recommend making the switch for the benefit of our environment.

• BIN IT RIGHT, RECYCLE RIGHT
  At home, sort your trash, compost, and recyclables. Check local guidelines and make sure everything's bundled tightly — nobody wants to see your trash flying!

• REGENERATIVE TRAVEL
  Pack light and dispose of waste responsibly. Challenge yourself to leave a place cleaner than you found it! Let’s all take on the regenerative travel challenge, which means leaving a place better than how we found it, especially as tourists.

• RAISING ECO-CONSCIOUS KIDDOS
  Kids learn by example. Teach them the importance of responsible waste disposal by explaining the impact of litter and making it a fun activity (think: "Trash Treasure Hunt!").

• COMMUNITY POWER
  There's always strength in numbers! Join a local cleanup or start your own. Feeling creative? Brainstorm with your neighbors about better public trash can placement, educational campaigns, friendly competitions, or weekly cleanups. Make positive changes and create positive vibes!

• HOLD OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE
  It's tough to hold others accountable when you're not a cop or in charge and don't want to be seen as confrontational. But it's still important to try. I've struggled with approaching people who litter, and I've found that being kind and understanding rather than confrontational is the best approach. If that doesn't work, taking a picture and reporting the littering can be effective. Unfortunately, many people don't care about the environment and think that it's someone else's problem. However, it's important to understand that when we litter, it not only harms us, but others who are living as well.

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imagine a world…

...without plastic choking our oceans, trash-free beaches, and clean streets. It's possible! By slowly working together, building communities, and making small changes, we can create a cleaner, healthier planet for everyone.

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it’s your turn!

Let's take action! Share this post, join a cleanup/community, or simply commit to being more mindful of what you put in your trash bins! Even tiny steps can make a big difference. Let’s improve our world together!

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check out my recent vlog!

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