Menace of the litter bugs

THE EDITOR: With the advent of plastic wrapping and styrotex and plastic containers, the entire country has been bombarded by a reckless attack on the environment because of the carelessness and indifference of sections of the population. In the past when paper and cardboard were used for the purpose of wrapping and packaging these materials on being discarded quickly broke down and rotted to form part of the soil. But today, most of the plastic and styrotex are not biodegradable and have become the scourge of the sanitary forces operating in every community. Most of the flooding in and around our city and towns is the result of the wanton disposal of plastic and styrotex material of every type. One has only to look at our water courses after a heavy shower of rain to see a mottling of all manner of plastic and styrotex material floating on the surface of every river and drain.

These materials flow into the sea, resulting in our beaches being awash with the unsightly picture of discarded plastic and styrotex. Inland fisheries are also affected. The result is less fish, crabs, shrimp, oysters etc in our coastal waters. Fishermen have to travel longer distances at sea to fish resulting in higher prices for fish in our market. When will this attack end? Young and old alike are at fault. The roadway, the drain, the pavement is their dustbin. Education campaigns do not seem to have any effect. It is time to increase the number of litter wardens in TT and give them the power as policemen to arrest and charge offenders. Our nation is going to the dogs.

JOHNNY DARK
Diego Martin