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June 30, 1996
Litter
Not so long ago America was kind of messy. People did not really seem to
care about littering. It was common for people to throw trash out the window
of a car or to throw cups or cans or packaging away while walking on the
street. No one approved of littering, but it was not really condemned either.
Today American roads are much cleaner. The national attitude toward littering is now" disapproval" instead of "tolerance." On one level there are highway signs warning motorists that littering will be punished with fines of $200 to $1,000 for littering. Many city streets have trash cans so people can conveniently put trash where it belongs. Manufacturers label cans and boxes with messages such as "Please dispose of this packaging in an appropriate manner" and "Please recycle this item." Many private organizations voluntarily help keep areas of their cities clean by organizing regular "pick-up days" where they pick up what trash still accumulates on the roadside.
A large part of this change in attitude can be attributed to an unforgettable public service message that was televised in the 1970s. The simple scene showed a native American contemplating a pile of trash in an otherwise beautiful, unspoiled vista. His face betrayed no emotion besides general sadness until the end, when a silent tear formed and rolled down his cheek.