The Impact of Littering on Society

An all too common example of litter around NYC, shown here in Upper Manhattan's Riverside Park (New York Times/Yana Paskova)

Author: Giomaris Hill

School: Midwood High School

Publication Date: August 22, 2023

Plastic water bottles, empty chip bags, and half-eaten chocolate bars have been seen lying on the city's sidewalks. Though the New York City Department of Sanitation(n.d) deems littering illegal, it is a crime committed way too often. This crime is known to have detrimental impacts on our environment for not only the present but years to come.

New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection(n.d) explains that as littering continues, a lot of it ends up in our storm drains. This then causes flooding as this garbage enters our sewer system and eventually our waterways, harming wildlife. Green sea turtles are an endangered species native to New York. Part of the reason why they are endangered is because of their heavily trash-filled habitats. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (n.d) demonstrates this idea by explaining that green sea turtles may consume the garbage humans get rid of, like plastics.

A sea turtle attempting to consume, and unfortunately getting stuck in, a discarded plastic bag (Troy Mayne/WWF)

Littering also harms the health of New Yorkers. According to the article titled “ Why trash service is crucial for public health?”(2023), the accumulation of trash makes residents of these neighborhoods feel anxious as they go about their day-to-day lives. These unpleasant ambiances have the possibility of homing lingering pests, contributing to this uneasy feeling. Trash also pollutes the air we breathe; harming our physical health.

NYC rats scavenging for food in trash overflowing onto a sidewalk (NYPost/Christopher Sadowski)

So if you ever think of throwing your garbage on city floors, remember the bigger problem you’re contributing to. Hindering the health of animals, the environment, and yourself, both mentally and physically, can all be prevented with a garbage can.

RESEARCH, NOTES, OR BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Fisheries, N. (2023, July 18). Green Turtle. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/green-turtle#:~:text=Ocean%20Pollution%2FMarine%20Debris,-Increasing%20pollution%20of&text=Ingestion%20of%20marine%20debris%20is,they%20can%20mistake%20for%20food.

How sanitation service, trash, and rats affect our lives and our health. Environment & Health Data Portal. (2023, March 20). https://a816-dohbesp.nyc.gov/IndicatorPublic/beta/data-stories/sanitation/

Litter and Litter Baskets. DSNY - the city of New York Department of Sanitation. (n.d.). https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/cleaning/litter-litter-baskets#:~:text=It’s%20illegal%20to%20throw%20litter,will%20respond%20to%20recurring%20issues.

Trash in waterways. Trash in Waterways - DEP. (n.d.). https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/trash-in-waterways.page#:~:text=Trash%20in%20our%20harbor%20often,put%20human%20health%20at%20risk.