Hundreds of the streets that make up neighborhoods in and around Boston are littered with garbage. This lack of consideration for the environment greatly lowers the quality of life in these neighborhoods. In my town of Mattapan there are at least three garbage cans dispersed throughout the community, yet for some reason there is more trash littering the streets than there is in the actual trash bins. Recycling doesn’t need to be seen as a task that requires immense effort.

If we expand the Bottle Bill we can recycle enough containers to fill up Fenway Park to the Monster seats. This small act would eliminate huge amounts of litter, allowing citizens to have less of a negative impact on our environment. Massachusetts should set the standard for the rest of the country to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but it takes the voice of the people to make a difference. Express your concern for the future of your community and encourage change by writing a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, Laurie Burt, at 1 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108.