Eco-tip: Prevent Litter, Protect Animals
January 26th, 2011
Flickr Creative Commons license: epSos.de
Cigarette butts, snack wrappers, take-out boxes, and drink containers are our most common liter. Each one can hurt animals in a different way. Little animals like squirrels and skunks sometimes stick their heads in small plastic containers (especially yogurt containers) trying to get the food that’s left, and get stuck there. Deer and other animals often cut their tongues on half-opened cans. Six-pack rings of soda cans can trap and strangle birds, fish, and other animals. Animals mistake cigarette butts which are made of plastic and eat them, which can kill them.
So, when you go hiking take a trash bag to collect your trash and other trash along the way. The animals from the forest will greatly appreciate it.
You can also help by doing the following:
- Reduce the use of plastic bags and recycle them when finished. Many supermarkets have collection receptacles.
- Do not release balloons into the air. Dispose of them properly.
- Cut six-ring packs before disposing.
- Cut triangular shaped yogurt containers before disposing.
- Rinse well any food containers before recycling and replace lids. This includes metal cans, glass jars and plastic containers.
- Properly dispose of fishing line.
- Properly dispose of chemicals, oil, pesticides and other toxins that may be ingested by animals. Call your municipality for information about when and where to recycle batteries, paint and other atypical items.
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Related keywords: animal welfare, eco-tips, Ecology, reduce reuse recycle
