Australia Road writer’s blog
about old
buildings, natural wonders, and some historical stories I can’t let go, like
a dog with a bone.
The First Straw
I walk because my life depends on it.
I want what all walkers
want. Solid streets and wide paths to plant my feet, greenery with birds and
small animals, enchanting houses and colourful structures.
Previously I walked around Sydney’s East but lately I’ve been exploring
the Inner West. In tree-lined cool enclaves and ancient lanes squeezed with
giddy old factories and precarious terrace houses, murals catch the eye and
something (the historic atmosphere, a child, or a singing magpie) is bound to
touch the heart.
Walking this morning I carried a re-usable shopping bag for
the errands I had planned. And
so, when I saw some stray garbage - a can here, bottle there - I started
thinking, well, I could pick it up. But I really don’t want to.
In Tamarama Gully and the eastern suburbs, I used to pick up a lot of rubbish, on Clean Up Australia Day or just random Sundays. But in places like
Leichhardt and Newtown, I’ve been more inclined to turn a blind eye. Strolling in
a daydream this morning, I entered the grassy area alongside Whites Creek – and
there I saw it: the red-striped plastic straw.
FINE. If that’s the kind of thing that’s going to be tossed out on the creek side, I can’t ignore it.
Whites Creek* has a small ‘wetland’ pocket
with charming footlong turtles (30 centimetres) who rise to the surface and peer
at you through the water weeds if you stand still and watch. I was
planning to check them later, hoping to glimpse a foot or an edge of shell.
Straws have been targeted lately as high priority trash.
Whites Creek’s cement-lined waterway leads straight to Sydney Harbour, and from
there to the ocean.
Unfolding my bag, I drop the straw in. Now I can’t relax but
must stop every metre or so; finding plastic water-bottles, coffee cup lids,
bottle caps, and water-bottle LABELS that have escaped their bottles. Ziploc
bags, chocolate wrappers, a toothbrush, popped balloon
tied to a ribbon, and Styrofoam pieces complete the stash.
I only pick up plastic – that idea started last year during a
litter removal jag in Centennial Park. Glass bottles – meh. Metal cans or
bottle tops – nah. These items might pose hazards, but are more
‘natural’, and can break down; they won’t join the great Pacific garbage patch
one day. And they probably won’t get stuck in a sea animal’s stomach or nasal passage,
or wind around its limbs. Besides, if I was going to pick up everything, I’d
have to push a trolley.
At the Great Barrier Reef two years ago, a
huge sea turtle ate a wobbly white-ish jellyfish before my eyes. So I easily believe plastic
looks like their food – clear or white, and flexible. The veterinarian on Better Homes and Gardens tv show, Dr Harry Cooper, said in February that it's possible "in 40 years time there may be no sea turtles around". This is the year
of the pig on the Asian calendar, but for me it feels like Year of the Turtle.
Passing the wetland later I notice part of the water surface is clear
– it’s been very clogged recently – and a longneck turtle comes up to me. Its
back and legs and neck are fully visible for the first time. One of its buddies swims close too - it has three normal legs and one smaller, damaged. If I can catch some straws and
plastic bits before they hurt any water friends, I’ll do it.
* Whites Creek is how it is written, even if you just want to put an apostrophe in there.
Clean Up Australia Day is Sunday, 3 March this year. https://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_PjO5-Pf4AIVjhmPCh0asQusEAAYASAAEgL0g_D_BwE
[FYI this post is not sanctioned by nor related to them]
Well done - I love the post and look forward to reading more. Great topic and very important in our world today
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support.
DeleteThank you Robin. I enjoyed reading your blog, and am glad to know a fellow litter-picker-upper. Lets hope a day comes when we're out of a job. Looking forward to the next blog.
ReplyDeleteCheers Barb (I think it's you). Here's hoping.
DeleteWell done. Loved it. Keep it up, Lilian.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lilian.
DeleteThis is great! I like how it takes me on a journey with you. And it's timely, with clean up Australia day
ReplyDeleteInvaluable help from your great course in blogging... and your blog (noodlies.com) posts on getting started were really helpful too.
Delete