Schoolgirl launches ‘leave no trace’ anti-litter campaign
"OUR beaches and public spaces are some of the most beautiful places we share, and they should be treated with care and respect."
This is the message from Richards Bay pupil, Alexa Christen Joseph, who recently launched her Leave No Trace Movement — Clean Spaces, Responsible Choices petition on change.org, and encourages everyone to sign it.
While she acknowledges that rules against littering and drinking in public do exist, Joseph says people don't take responsibility for what they leave behind.
"Cleaning up after yourself takes only a few minutes, but when it is ignored, it becomes someone else’s problem for a long time," she said.
"Imagine planning a day at the beach during golden hour. You are taking photos, enjoying the view, and everything feels peaceful. But later, when you zoom in to your pictures, you notice litter in the background or scattered across the scene. It instantly changes the mood and takes away from what should have been a calm, beautiful moment."
She says more rules and reminders aren't needed, but rather a 'stronger sense of personal responsibility and awareness'.
"This is not about being perfect; it's about respect for the environment, for other people, and for the spaces we all use. A clean environment is something we all enjoy, but it can only stay that way if we each do our part."
The cleanliness commitment
As part of the petition, Alexa, along with all signatories present and prospective, commits to the following:
• Not littering in public spaces, including beaches, streets, and parks
• Properly disposing of all waste, or taking it home when bins are not available
• Respecting rules in public areas, including restrictions on drinking where applicable
• Encouraging friends and family to clean up after themselves
• Practising a 'two-minute responsibility' mindset; cleaning up immediately instead of delaying it Anyone wanting to sign Alexa's petition and join her Leave No Trace movement can do so at: www.change.org/leave_no_trace_movement_sa