On a recent recycling day a little black desk waste can showed up in front of our house. No one claimed it so we left it there. It was empty – but not for long. Little by little the can filled up as folk dropped in trash, poop bags and recycling. So everyday we emptied it into our waste cans. I found it fascinating that folk had found the can and were filling it up. Then I noticed that the street and the sidewalk were cleaner – the little trash can was making a difference.
Then it disappeared.
Then it disappeared. We were disappointed. It was gone for a whole week!
The sidewalk became littered, the gutter started to fill up. The affect was almost immediate.
Then it came back.
Everyone started using the can again. Everyday we watch it fill up. Everyday we empty the can into our big waste receptacles. Everyday we put the little can back out front.
I wonder what would happen if everyone had a little desk can out front of their house. Would there be any litter left on the city streets? Given our experience, I think we would have a pretty clean city. I challenge you to try a little experiment at your front door. Then get your neighbors and your community to give it a try. Then we would have a cool little movement that might just make a big impact on your city.
