How to Pick up Litter

Taking care of the earth is a full time job for us all. Whenever we encounter refuse, we must do our part to dispose of it properly. If we all chip in, we can make a huge difference in our world. Do your part for the environment—pick up litter today.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Trash bags
• Nail stick
• Shovel
• Buckets (optional)
• Wheelbarrow (optional)

1. Arm yourself with rubber gloves to keep exposure to parasites and toxins to a minimum.
2. Bring trash bags and ties with you so you have a place to put the garbage. If the litter is heavy, or could rip through a plastic bag, consider bringing a wheelbarrow instead.
3. Use a shovel and a stick with a nail driven into one end to pick up as much trash as you can. (File off the nail head.) This keeps you from repeatedly having to bend over—a known cause of back strain.
4. Fill trash bags only far enough to allow for easy carrying. If they're too heavy to haul, or if they're too full and rip, you'll have a difficult time taking them for proper disposal.
5. Make a game out of trash pick up. Enlist your children or classroom to see who can pick up the most garbage.
6. Leave animal carcasses for professionals to remove. They contain parasites and must be disposed of properly. Stay back and call the county road commission. Refer them to the animal's location for removal.
7. Dispose of all trash in an appropriate manner. Immediately change clothing and wash hands.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rubber buckets lined with heavy trash bags to pick up glass. Place a cardboard box inside the bag and fill with caution. This will prevent the bag from ripping.
• For large litter cleanup, bring a pickup for easy removal.
• Animals and insects gravitate to trash. Take appropriate precautions such as insect repellent, long sleeves and long pants.
• Be mindful of traffic. Your safety is more important than highway cleanup.