Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Environment has proclaimed the week of September 29th to October 4th as Litter Awareness Week on Prince Edward Island. In cooperation with the Federated Women's Institute of Prince Edward Island, the Minister has made the proclamation to ensure Islanders and visitors are aware of the need to keep the Island's roadways, rivers and beaches clean. "For many years the Environment Department and the Women's Institute have collaborated on the annual Road Side Clean Up. In an ideal situation, if everyone had stopped littering on Prince Edward Island 24 years ago after the Road Side Clean Up began, we would no longer require this annual event. That did not happen and littering continues to be a problem," said Mr. MacAdam.
Littering, while creating an unpleasant view, may also be dangerous for humans, and harmful to the environment. A very small amount of motor oil has the potential to pollute gallons of water. One cigarette butt swept into waterways can choke a fish that tries to eat it. Floating trash can damage boats by blocking intakes or getting into propellers. The economic repercussions of litter are significant, with the task of picking up litter having the most apparent financial impact. Prince Edward Island is a well-known tourist destination with beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery. Litter is an obvious blight in these areas and if not checked, may damage the potential to generate economic revenue in those areas.
To bring the message home that littering is not only irresponsible, but illegal, the Environment Department will be stepping up enforcement activities on this issue over the next several weeks. "Through calls from the public we find they are as concerned by littering as we are, and I am confident that Islanders will approve our plans to make people more aware of the littering problem," said Minister MacAdam. Fines for littering go as high as $200.
As well as enforcement activities, increased education and awareness opportunities are being presented during Litter Awareness Week. The Environment Department will supply speakers to schools that request them and the Women's Institute is sponsoring a poster contest among students from grades 1-6. The Women's Institute is also airing TV ads which promote their "Be Island Proud ...Keep it Clean" campaign with an emphasis on litter.
"Individuals frequently feel they are unable to help protect the environment. This is not the case with littering. This is something we can all influence and I am sure Islanders will respect, not only the law, but the necessity to keep our environment clean," said Mr. MacAdam.