By Gar Fisher
As a student attending Ladysmith Secondary School, I am speaking up about Ladysmith’s lack of concern for the environment. Here is what I have to say:
I have always been conscious about the health of the planet. Whether I’m recycling properly, or picking up litter, I’m constantly keeping it in mind. What really surprises me is the number of people who don’t consider cigarette butts to be litter. I’d guess about 80% of the trash I pick up is just discarded butts. Butts on the corner, butts in the storm drains, even in the downtown gardens, using the soil as an ashtray. The thing about cigarettes is that their chemicals leak into our water when it rains. This poisons the local wildlife, and the water that our children are swimming in.
If you’re one of those people who is littering with your cigarettes, all I ask is that you please dispose of them properly in a garbage can. There are plenty located around town that you can use. Remember, it is our responsibility as Ladysmith residents to keep our home clean and safe.