Litter bugs in a marathon drew condemnation for turning roads into landfills

 

A CLEAN environment does not happen by accident. It reflects the habits, values and sense of responsibility of the people who share it.

Civic duty, often spoken about in terms of voting or obeying laws, also extends to the everyday choices we make about our surroundings. 

Throwing rubbish into a bin, recycling where possible, or even picking up litter that is not ours are small acts that collectively define the character of a community.

So what can we tell about a post on X by netizen @localrkyt which showed a road littered with paper cups.

This is the result of a recent run, undoubtedly participated by health conscious Malaysians who also happen to be not so environmentally conscious.

Looking at all the garbage, one would easily confuse the road as a landfill. 

Our Singaporean friends will be shaking their heads watching these litterbugs at their work, creating landscape “art.”

A marathon is meant to celebrate endurance, discipline and strength. Yet, what does it say when the finish line is marked not just by achievement, but by a trail of disregard left behind?

According to netizen @illusionguyy in the comment section, their heads must have fallen off while they were running.

Also, @aifhaan pointed out that these organisers have no trouble providing portable toilets but they can’t even place dustbins in the area.

Then there was a sarcastic @Matodam23 suggesting they place a huge green dustbin there and write on it, in every language, “Only idiots litter everywhere.”

But shockingly, a netizen highlighted that this is in fact a common practice during runs.

Among other things, he said major organisers run drink stations where participants grab, drink and throw.

@jerxchoJ countered that even though someone is there to do the clean up, the runners should make other people’s work easier too.

Another warned that littering is against the law, regardless of whether there is someone to clean up later or not.

“Familiarise oneself to keeping it in the pocket or holding it first. Just a little to the front is a dustbin. People have no trouble holding on to a handphone which is heavier,” lamented @EsmaDannyDawson.

Netizen @haepride, however, said it was fine since they are throwing all the cups at a designated spot, and not everywhere.

Will the debate ever end on who is right or wrong here? Maybe it shouldn’t. Because it is not a debate after all, but a question about what we are willing to tolerate. Rules, organisers and clean-up crews can only go so far. 

At some point, it comes down to individual choice. And here comes the most important question of them all. What is your choice? — Focus Malaysia