A week ago, while driving on a busy road in Johannesburg, I witnessed something that disturbed me greatly.
There was a company vehicle driving in front of me, with three occupants in the front. The vehicle company with which it was branded is well known and provides services such as landscaping, waste management, agribusiness and renewable energy.
Its motto, “Building a sustainable future”, gives the impression of a company that is invested in the protection of the natural and built environments.
It is for this reason that what happened on that Friday afternoon shocked me.
While navigating the notorious Johannesburg traffic, occupants of the vehicle threw trash out the passenger-side window. First, an empty box of Chicken Licken, followed by an empty can of some energy drink.
Without any sense of irony, the driver and occupants continued on their merry way, possibly heading to a client to provide one of the services listed on the vehicle.
Littering, the act of improperly disposing of waste products in public places, might seem like a minor infraction to some people.
However, when these “small” acts are repeated many times in a country of more than 60-million people, the consequences become extremely alarming.
Littering affects both the built and natural environments, as well as human health, wildlife and even the economy.
The most immediate and visible impact of littering is environmental degradation. This is especially evident in centres across Johannesburg, including the central business district.
What was once deemed “a world-class African city” has deteriorated into a dump, with litter lining almost every corner in townships and suburbs.
What many people do not seem to realise is that litter, especially non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, metals and glass, can remain in the environment for centuries.
Then there is the danger posed by oil contamination. Many items, such as batteries, electronic waste, or even commonplace plastics, also leach harmful chemicals into the soil.
Heavy metals and toxins can hinder plant growth, disrupt soil microbes and eventually enter the food chain, affecting both animals and humans.
Litter also causes water pollution as rainwater frequently carries litter into storm drains, rivers and, eventually, oceans.
Plastic debris in waterways also breaks down into microplastics, contaminating water sources and making their way into the bodies of aquatic creatures and, ultimately, humans.
As things stand, Johannesburg and SA broadly, face a water security crisis that is affecting households and businesses.
Polluting the little water resources that we have is irrational.
Litter also causes significant air pollution as decomposing organic litter such as food waste produces methane — a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
In addition, burning litter, a common practice, particularly as waste companies try to minimise production costs, releases toxic fumes, including dioxins and furans, which are extremely harmful to both the environment and human health.
Litter is also breeding grounds for disease.
Accumulated trash, especially in urban areas, provides ideal conditions for pests such as rats, mosquitoes and flies. These creatures can spread diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue fever, malaria, and cause salmonella infection.
Discarded sharp objects, such as broken glass or hypodermic needles, can also cause injuries to unsuspecting passers-by. Children playing in parks or on beaches are particularly vulnerable.
It can also cause fire hazards, especially in a country with more than 1,000 informal settlements that are constantly in danger of fire. Litter such as glass bottles or cigarette butts can spark fires, especially in dry conditions, threatening lives.
The economy suffers too. Cash-strapped municipalities spend billions of rand annually on cleaning streets, parks, beaches and waterways. These funds could otherwise support education, health care and critical infrastructure.
It also has a huge impact on tourism as scenic destinations made dirty by litter lose their appeal, leading to declines in tourist numbers — a vital source of income for many local regions.
Lower tourist numbers result in lost jobs and economic opportunities.
When it comes to personal finances, littering also affects property values. Cleanliness is a significant factor in the desirability of real estate and property values tend to be lower in neighbourhoods where litter is a problem.
Businesses located in such areas may have fewer customers, as shoppers and diners seek out cleaner environments.
I am one of many who do not go to the Johannesburg CBD for this very reason.
This Heritage Month, we must think of cleanliness as a key part of heritage — because it is.
The Herald
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