Why do so many Angelinos think that a bush is a trash can? (Sacramento: transplants, disposal)

[greggd1]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

There's no shortage of trash in Chicago, though I will say I was surprised by how clean the Chicago Loop is. Downtown LA is a dive. I meant this doesn't happen in all areas of Los Angeles. I lived in K-Town where there was trash pretty much everywhere, but then I'd head further west and see trash almost nowhere. It really depends on where in the city you are.

True, but it's spreading. People who live in areas that are more acceptable of trash bring the same habits to other areas.

In my neighborhood, I dont think most of my neighbors intentionally litter. However, I know for a fact most of my neighbors will not pick up the trash left near or infront of their home. It will sit for days, untouched...unless it's tossed right onto their own private property, thus giving the impression is was left by them, or detracting from the upkeep of their yard.

I dont know what is worse really.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by greggd1

In my neighborhood, I dont think most of my neighbors intentionally litter. However, I know for a fact most of my neighbors will not pick up the trash left near or infront of their home. It will sit for days, untouched...unless it's tossed right onto their own private property, thus giving the impression is was left by them, or detracting from the upkeep of their yard.

^^^ Pretty well describes the concept of "tragedy of the commons," in this case the private property reigning supreme while the public property is perceived to be somebody else's problem, even if said property owner trashes the immediate public areas. Pretty freakin' selfish, really.

[blueyes2]

Work in a neighborhood that is adjacent to one of those fancy areas that has a plaque on a corner to let visitors know what a nice, important area it is. Every day I am reminded how filthy and disgusting this area is when I walk down the sidewalk. There is a stench from the favorite places where animals do their business. The evidence litters the sidewalk so you have to watch where you step. Several nasty-looking broken down trucks loaded with mattresses are parked along the street to add to the ambience. To accompany the mattress trucks are pickup trucks in various stages of unsightly disrepair, with high side rails, holding piled accumulations of random junk. Not one of these trucks, but several. Trash everywhere, to include the bushes. Yards that look like trash dumps and outdoor toilets. Every time spray-painted graffiti is covered up on several building walls, a couple of days later it reappears, sometimes tracing over the faint previous defacement. And to complete the neighborhood atmosphere, several men who appear to be capable of work, standing around vehicles or sitting inside the vehicles throughout the day, staring at the doors and windows of buildings across the street, talking with their 'comrades in loitering' in voices loud enough for people in buildings across the street to follow their conversations. Yes, nasty next to nice. And people who live here think this is normal.

[True Freedom]

Originally Posted by greggd1

True, but it's spreading. People who live in areas that are more acceptable of trash bring the same habits to other areas.

In my neighborhood, I dont think most of my neighbors intentionally litter. However, I know for a fact most of my neighbors will not pick up the trash left near or infront of their home. It will sit for days, untouched...unless it's tossed right onto their own private property, thus giving the impression is was left by them, or detracting from the upkeep of their yard.

I dont know what is worse really.

That's right! Trash begets trash. If people see litter laying around, they are more likely to add to it. Spreads like a virus.

On a bike ride in a certain part of Pasadena, I saw a man drinking coffee near the curb in front of a house. There was litter all up and down the street, including inches from the man's feet.

I talked with him. He was the owner of the house.. said the neighborhood always looks like this, except on Mondays when "they clean it up" (I assume he means the street sweepers). I asked why he doesn't rally his neighbors to clean in front of their own property daily. He said no-one cares.. including him, apparently.

[True Freedom]

Here's one from my walk today:

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by True Freedom

Here's one from my walk today:

Tree felt bad for his buddy, who turned into newspaper.

[True Freedom]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Tree felt bad for his buddy, who turned into newspaper.

He he. It's like the tree is giving him a hug to ease the pain and suffering of being pulped into paper.

Here's today's installation. Apparently, bamboo has easy insertion and retaining properties.

[heetseeker]

Hey it all ends up in the ocean or landfill anyways. Just putting it in the trash extends the inevitable. The solution is put products in biodegradable containers instead of plastics.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by True Freedom

Or storm drains, for that matter?

Seems every day I see someone jamming their drink cup or fast food remnants into a bush... as if it is some kind of refuse receptacle. I've lived in San Diego and the Bay Area and have not seen this "bush trash jamming" to such and elevated (and sometimes creative) level.

Some groups are much more careless and throw their trash directly on the ground without a care... but the bush trash jammers are different. They seem to expend at least a little effort to try and hide their laziness and filthiness.

Did I miss the memo saying that this is an OK way to get rid of your trash in LA?

this isn't just a problem in Ca but I think most places and it just shows laziness, just like people who leave their carts in the parking lots instead of returning them to the cart area or the store. It is the ME generation, but it crosses over to all age groups. How sad this is!!!

NIta

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by nmnita

this isn't just a problem in Ca but I think most places and it just shows laziness.

I guess they're lazy until they receive a ticket. Isn't the littering fine around $250?

A friend of mine threw a cigarette butt out the window of her car on a freeway in northern CA several years ago and got a $200 littering fine. She was shocked.