Trash. We produce a lot of it. It is one of those things that we have all become accustomed to generating without questioning how much we are producing or the effects it could have on the environment. For us, we were pretty unaware of how wasteful we could be – or the negative effect that we were having, that is, until we got on the road. 

When we first started our trip, it was normal for us to overlook trash and continue on our way. As we progressed on our journey though, trash began to stick out like a sore thumb. It would catch our attention and distract us from the beauty of the places that we were visiting. 

Our perception of trash and waste has changed significantly since we left on our trip. Before we left, trash was just a part of everyday life. Now, we see the consequences of all the trash that we are producing. We feel that it is important to talk about how our perception of trash has shifted from before we left to now. Also, we want to highlight ways that we all can be more responsible with our relationship to trash. Consider this our Public Service Announcement: Trash is destroying the Earth’s natural beauty. 

Prior to this trip, we lived in a house with a few other individuals who were also trash producers. Thinking back, I cannot remember a time when we did not fill our large bins with trash each week to the point where you could not even close the lid. In fact, there were even times when we produced so much trash that we needed to put trash bags on the curbside to be picked up because it would not fit into the bins.

In addition to the trash, we did recycle as well. Unfortunately, our recycling bin, which was equally as large as the trash bin, would never be more than half full. We created a lot of trash and we never thought twice about how much we were actually producing. 

Living in a larger city, we would see trash in places where it did not belong. When the wind blew, plastic wrappers and bottles would roll down the streets and when it rained, globs of trash would block gutters. After the winter snow melted, trash would linger in peoples’ yards. 

Aside from occasionally picking up trash on our lawn, we would turn a blind eye to it everywhere else in the city. I would rarely pick up those bottles rolling down the street and I was not going to be the person to pick up everyone’s nasty cigarette butts. 

Fastforward to today, after more than 60 days on the road, it is disheartening to see the plethora of trash in places that are otherwise beautiful and full of natural wonders. We have yet to experience a place that is not littered with trash. Every trail that we have walked on has been littered with plastic, we have witnessed people leaving entire campsites full of trash after their weekend of fun, and we have gone swimming  in remote rivers whose banks are lined with paper and beer bottles. 

Why is it that we care so much about the trash now? Afterall, the trash we see now is not any worse than what we would see back home. 

There are a number of reasons that this may be the case. 

For starters, we are developing a new appreciation for the environment. Many of the places we have visited have fragile ecosystems and we are able to see first-hand the negative impact of trash. 

In addition to this, these areas end up being our temporary homes. We want these places to be clean, trash free, and available for others who might find them after we leave. Most would agree that living in an area surrounded by trash is not appealing. 

As a result, we now try to produce as little waste as possible.  We have downsized to a van and tent and our living space is small, which has forced us to be  more aware of the items that we are purchasing to ensure that our living space is not overrun by trash. 

To aid in this goal, we specifically try to purchase items that do not produce waste. This can be difficult at times because everything is wrapped in plastic, but we try our best to purchase goods that have little to no packaging. 

In short, our time on the road has taught us how damaging waste is to the environment and as a result, it has become apparent that if we want to see change, we have to be part of the solution. 

Being Trash responsible 

It is fair to say that being trash responsible is something that everyone can work on. Luckily for all of us, it is something that is easy to do. Changing some simple behaviors and taking some basic steps can make all the difference. 

We can start by being more aware of how much waste we are producing. Every person and family is different, but being mindful how much waste we all produce can help to change our relationship with it. 

A simple way to make a difference is by recycling. Not everyone has the ability to recycle things such as canned goods and plastic bottles, but recycling is not just about putting your waste in a specific bin. Recycling can also include donating, selling, or repurposing your unwanted goods. There are a number of apps available to sell or donate your items and the internet is full of ways to repurpose your goods as well.  

Another way to make a difference is to refrain from littering. There are trash receptacles everywhere. Just taking the time to put your waste in a trash bin can make a huge difference. If a trash bin is not available, it is best to hold on to the trash until it can be disposed of properly. Additionally, if trash is in areas where it does not belong, pick it up and throw it away. 

A slightly, more difficult approach to reducing trash would be to consider buying items that do not produce as much waste. Think about the packaging of the products you are buying. Is the packaging biodegradable? Can it be recycled? Rather than purchasing products with packaging, try buying different products that do not have any packaging at all. When venturing out to buy groceries, consider buying fresh produce or purchasing items in bulk. More often than not, processed foods have the most packaging. 

In the world that we live in, it is easy to produce trash without giving much thought to how much we are creating. It is just as easy to watch it accumulate in areas where it does not belong and we are all guilty of littering and turning a blind eye to trash in the street. Managing our waste is something that requires a conscience effort and, as you can see, some basics steps can make a big difference with our relationships to trash and the impact it has on the environment. We are not perfect and do not expect others to be perfect, but we can all do our part in helping to manage our trash and taking a more responsible and active role to make the Earth a more beautiful and visually pleasing place to live.