Museum of Litter

If we'd just pick up litter we'd all get along

Litter and clutter contribute to discrimination according to a recently published article in the journal Science.

The mind seems to like things orderly. When it encounters people in a messy environment it begins to sort and classify, noting differences, increasing the chance of stereotyping.

Scientists find people of different races sit further away from each other in dirty, disorderly environments.

Who would think that the simple act of picking up litter could end with world peace?

Just goes to show little things mean a lot.

NOTE: Report based on field experiments by Dutch scientists, Diederik Stapel and Siegwart Lindenberg of Tilburg University's Institute for Behavioral Economics Research in the Netherlands.

For the full story: http://technology.ukplurk.com/2011/04/how-litter-and-graffiti-can-poison-our.html

 

 

 

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!
 
 

Lost Cell Phone - Found & Returned by Museum of Litter

This is Lisa Cardia who was very happy to have her lost phone found and returned by the Museum of Litter.

 

Lisa had lost her phone the night before at the beach. It was found in the sand with a White metal detector.  Mostly we find bottle caps and pull tabs. We were really glad to be able to find and return Lisa's phone.

This litter was removed from the beach and has escaped the Atlantic Garbage Patch.

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Hurricane in Atlantic brings litter to shore

Even though Hurricane Earl came no where near land in Florida it brought a lot of wind, waves and litter to our beach.

The strong surf brought the seaweed line much further inland than normal and along with it thousands of pieces of plastic and debris. At first glance the beach looks beautiful and clean.

But as soon as you look along the high tide line you see continuous litter every couple of inches up and down the beach.

Fortunately, this plastic escaped the Atlantic Garbage Patch, and the Atlantic Seaboard escaped a serious hurricane.

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.

Polar Bear spotted on Florida beach

Global Warming? No..........just more plastic litter.

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

Sanibel Island, FL: The water's fine. Come on down.

Happy to report hardly any litter and no oil as of July 26. Sanibel Island beaches are pristine.

Didn't do much litter picking on Sanibel ...not much there. Mostly, played tourist and rode bikes in preserve and bike paths. I LOVE Sanibel. They've done a fabulous at preserving the natural environment of Old Florida. Last morning there I intended to pick up enough cigarette butts from the beach to make an angel. It takes about 12 butts to make a cigarette butt angel and I couldn't find enough. A good sign!

FOUND: Chase Debit Card

Found debit card belonging to Tashiana L Bohm today in the sand on Lauderdale by the Sea, FL beach.

Card was turned in to Chase, 5055 N. Dixie Hwy, Oakland Park, FL 33334 to Financial Center Manager Joan A. Walker. Hope you get it Tashiana before you have to cancel and get a new card. Hope this has a happy ending for you.