Whether it’s mountain biking at Bonita Lakes, a picnic at Clarkco, fishing at Okatibbee Lake or a game of basketball at one of our local parks, Meridian and Lauderdale County has a wealth of options to get outside and have fun this summer.

Sadly, all of these options share one common flaw: litter.

Plastic bottles and food wrappers are prevalent throughout Bonita, even miles from the parking areas along trails most residents never see. Styrofoam, plastic and other trash collects in the slow moving side channels of Okatibbee and cigarette butts, empty liquor containers and fast food bags can often be found near trash cans at our local parks but not in them, both raising and answering questions about how well their owner performed on the basketball court.

While there are legal options to enforce illegal dumping and improper disposal laws, littering is harder to police as meeting the burden of proof is often impossible without direct observation from law enforcement. Criminal activity such as dumping shows a lack of respect for laws, but littering displays a callousness and apathy toward the community that is sad to see.

Local residents are not alone in visiting our parks and recreation venues in the area, and the buildup of trash, both at the facilities and along the roads leading to and from them, does not show our community in the best light. Old tires, beer and soda cans, food containers and more can be found in almost every ditch in Lauderdale County causing harm to our county’s reputation and environment and tying up government resources for cleanups that are better spent elsewhere.

We are fortunate to have Keep Meridian/Lauderdale County Beautiful and its partners fighting against the litter scourge through education, outreach and community cleanups, but more is needed to keep our community clean. No volunteer effort, no matter how dedicated, can be truly effective if this culture of cold-heartedness toward proper trash disposal is allowed to persist.

Pick up your trash. Dispose of it properly. Encourage others to do the same.

It’s the little steps that will make the most difference.

Help keep our community clean.