[13of40]

Where I live every house has a garbage can in front, trucks pick it up once a week, and every public space has multiple garbage cans that get emptied on a regular schedule. I didn't set the system up, and other than paying a bill every few months I'm not involved in running the system. Nobody is. It's provided for us and we take advantage of it. I visited Mumbai and Pune last year, and I saw the trash problem first hand, but I have a hard time pinning the problem on apathy versus simply not having a functioning sanitation system. In other words, if you take the most well-meaning person, leave them holding a piece of trash, then deprive them of anywhere to dispose of it, where do you think it's going to go?

[Cpoll]

> if you take the most well-meaning person, leave them holding a piece of trash, then deprive them of anywhere to dispose of it, where do you think it's going to go?

Counterpoint: In Japan, I often had to haul my garbage quite a bit before I found a trash can to dispose of it. No litter though. (To be fair, there are other factors; most people don't eat on the go, and there are usually garbage cans near convenience stores and vending machines).

[simoncion]

> [I]f you take the most well-meaning person, leave them holding a piece of trash, then deprive them of anywhere to dispose of it, where do you think it's going to go?

I'm definitely not the most well-meaning person, but that piece of trash is going to go into my pocket (or stay in my hands) until I see a sufficiently-empty trash can or dumpster to place it in. It'll stay with me until I get home if it has to.

I _do not_ get folks that toss trash around. It's just fuckin nuts.

[pnutjam]

People are telling you, even when you put it in a trash can, that trash can ends up getting emptied into a river or public space.

[simoncion]

> ...that trash can ends up getting emptied into a river or public space.

13of40 is implying that that trash will not end up in a trash can, but will end up on the ground, because they believe that even the most well-meaning person will refuse to carry refuse with them until they locate a trash can. (I -and others- have direct evidence that supports disagreement with their bleak outlook.)

Aside from the occasional (American) football or baseball hooligan tipping over a can in "celebration", trash cans in my area get emptied into the trash-disposal truck that stops by on a regular schedule. It's legitimately regrettable that you live in a place where your trash cans get emptied into rivers or other common areas.

If what you're telling me is a true and accurate picture of the state of waste management in your area, then that's a crying shame. I sincerely hope that wherever you are, you and your compatriots a successfully able to convince enough people that the commons is worth protecting and that proper disposal of trash and other refuse is worth doing to change this sad state of affairs where you live.

[tekla]

You carry it like a normal person.