Hey, person who tosses stuff out of your car - I'm talkin to YOU!

[Lollyblogger]

What's with all the roadside trash on Shawmont/Umbria and around the reservoir?? Cans, bottles, bags of cans and bottles.
Thought this was one area of the city that cleaned up after itself.
C'mon, ya slobs!!!
Is there a neighborhood cleanup coming soon?

[roxyfoxy]

Outside the dollar store in Ivyridge this afternoon, there was a pile of around 50 cigarette butts that somebody had dumped into the parking lot. I don't understand why people have to be such slobs. The trash in this neighborhood is getting worse and worse. It's discouraging.

[The Rox]

What's with all the roadside trash on Shawmont/Umbria and around the reservoir?? Cans, bottles, bags of cans and bottles.
Thought this was one area of the city that cleaned up after itself.
C'mon, ya slobs!!!
Is there a neighborhood cleanup coming soon?

I could not agree more.

I live right off of Shawmont Ave in Green Tree Run, and I've also noticed the littering getting worse in my area. Overall, I think Manayunk and Roxborough have actually both improved in cleanliness over my 10 year stint as a full-time resident, but it still has its problem spots; this area being one of them.

I recently spoke to someone from a local neighborhood group in this area and we're going to discuss organizing a local clean up. Most likely it will start at Eva/Shawmont and go all the way down to Domino/Umbria.

Once I have more details, I will post them here.

[PhillyTex]

I agree that trash is a problem all over the city. I've found the best thing to do is to pick it up and dispose of it properly. It's not my fault it's there, and I know I can't singlehandedly stop it or clean it all up, but I think I have a responsibility to not be that guy who just complains about it and holds out for an organized community cleanup day before doing anything about it.

[waterman]

Litter reflects an attitude- state of mind, or better, a state of heart. Considering the amount of it, this doesn't speak well for the health of our community. People speak about lack of civics education, poor upbringing, lack of discipline, the entitlement attitude stemming from the Great Society, fear of applying social pressure and so forth. Maybe it all those things and more.

What to do? I agree that we should clean our own block and neighborhood. Keep at it; don't let litter, pole signs, etc. stay more than a moment; get it as soon as you see it, because litter attracts litter. You put a sign on a pole on my block and it will be gone before you get into 4th gear. (Ok, we'll let the lost kitten signs linger for a day). Is it fair that I and my neighbors have to pick up trash from a high school student or a fat slob tossing a McD's bag out the window when she passes by? Life's not fair; it takes some effort to keep your block nice.
Some blocks in the city are hopeless, because many of the people who live there are social defects. And yet, you'll still see some individual sweeping her sidewalk in order to create a nice space. Triumph of the positive human spirit over the slobs.

P.S. Back in the 80s, Judge K would walk his dog, Cher, in McMichael Park. He always carried a butane lighter and torched the litter as he passed. Quite a sight seeing a trail of little fires.

[Lollyblogger]

I agree - even if you don't litter, walking by the trash instead of picking it up makes you part of the problem.
Looking forward to that news on the cleanup!
Thanks.

[beery]

Ivy Ridge Green organizes neighborhood clean-ups (mostly in Manayunk). Check out their website at ivyridgegreen.org where you can sign up for the e-mail list and read about their work. They are organizing a work day on MLK Day -- this Monday, January 16, 2012.