Every day, we participate in a simple, universal ritual: we throw things away. The empty coffee cup, the plastic grocery bag, the packaging from an online order—we toss them into a bin, and for us, their story is over. We’ve put them “away.”
But “away” is a place. For a staggering amount of our discarded items, that place ends up being the forests, rivers, and oceans that animals call home. Our most mindless, everyday habit—creating and disposing of trash—has a direct and often devastating impact on the wildlife that lives just beyond our doorstep. The trail of our convenience often leads straight into their habitat.
The good news is that just as the problem is made of countless small actions, so is the solution.
The Unseen Dangers of Our Daily Discards
It’s easy to underestimate the harm a single piece of litter can cause. To a wild animal, our trash is a confusing and dangerous addition to their natural world.
- The Plastic Trap: Plastic bags floating in the water look distressingly like jellyfish to a sea turtle. Plastic six-pack rings and discarded fishing lines are notorious for entangling birds, seals, and fish, leading to injury, drowning, or starvation.
- The Lure of Leftovers: A discarded yogurt cup or a plastic bottle with a bit of sweet liquid inside can be an irresistible lure for a small animal like a skunk or a raccoon. They can easily get their heads stuck, leading to a slow and preventable death.
- A Toxic Meal: Small, colourful plastic fragments are often mistaken for food by birds and fish. Ingesting these items can cause internal injury and starvation, as their stomachs become full of indigestible material.
Small Details, Safer Habitats
We don’t need to make massive life changes to make a massive difference. It’s about building new, mindful habits into our daily routine.
- The Pocket Rule. This is the simplest habit of all. If you’re out on a trail, at a park, or even just walking down the street and can’t find a bin, simply pocket your trash until you find one. It’s a small act of personal responsibility that prevents litter at its source.
- Always Snip the Loops. Before you throw away any plastic six-pack rings, food can rings, or even disposable face masks, take two seconds to snip every loop with a pair of scissors. This simple action removes the entanglement threat and can save an animal’s life.
- Secure Your Bins. Raccoons, bears, and even crows are experts at raiding unsecured garbage and compost bins, scattering trash across the neighbourhood where it can then be washed into storm drains and waterways. Using bins with secure locking lids, or a simple bungee cord, keeps our waste contained until collection day.
- Rinse and Cover. Before recycling or discarding containers, give them a quick rinse to remove food residue that attracts animals. For items like yogurt cups or cans, placing the lid back inside or covering the opening can prevent small animals from getting their heads stuck.
Our daily habits shape the world around us. By making a few small, conscious adjustments to how we handle the things we throw “away,” we can ensure the trail we leave behind is one of respect and compassion, making the world a safer, cleaner home for all its inhabitants.