When I arrived in Guam, like other newcomers, I was surprised by the amount of trash littering the beaches, parks, jungles, and around my homes and businesses. I found myself wondering, “Who would do something like this? How could they leave so much trash behind?”
“Don’t worry,” my friend comforted me. “Eventually, if you put on the island goggles, you won't be able to see anymore.”
True, after a while it stopped bothering me. When trash came into view, I would just look beyond it and focus on the more beautiful aspects, like the ocean, the sunset, or the lush jungle. You'll probably do the same.
Humans are interesting creatures. We have a natural tendency to pick up on social cues, follow each other, and read our environment. When there is trash on the beach, our minds recognize that this is a safe place to leave trash.
These instinctive behaviors are common to everyone and explain why people of all cultures and social classes litter, and why you can find Infusion coffee cups and Mr. Brown cans in parks.
The problems caused by leaving just a little bit of trash behind are additional. Wilson and Kelling's broken windows theory suggests that one broken window in any area can cause a significant amount of vandalism. It's as if one person's carelessness sends a signal to everyone else that “this is how we treat this space,” and everyone else follows suit.
Even one piece of trash on your property can prompt 10% of your visitors to litter. What’s worse, when more trash is found, 40% of us end up creating more trash. That's a lot of garbage!
If you give in to your tendency to misplace your cup, you're not only adding to the pile of trash, you're also adding environmental cues that encourage others to do so.
Conversely, our collective efforts to maintain the cleanliness of shared spaces can have a positive impact. Picking up a piece of wrapping paper on the ground on the way to your car may seem trivial, but it can be a powerful gesture.
With repeated efforts by you and others, the environment will begin to reflect a sense of care and respect. Over time, the message is conveyed: “I am sacred and cherished. I will not litter or vandalize here.”
Consider taking ownership of a space, such as your garden, the side of the road, or part of a park. Improve by mowing bushes, pulling weeds, and removing trash. This sense of community ownership is evident and others are more likely to follow suit.
These well-maintained spaces provide a place for all who use them to rest, purify their minds, connect with nature, and enjoy greater well-being.
Stephanie Patterson, MA, LMFT, is a mental health therapist in Guam. She sees clients in her private practice and provides weekly tips for increasing emotional resilience through her YouTube channel, “Therapeutic Moment.” Her website is her slofamilycounseling.com. Contact stephaniepattersonmft@gmail.com.