Students from Temple University College of Engineering joined Terrill Haigler, a former Streets Department employee, for his Earth Day trash pickup 5K in Kensington. It’s one thing seeing the impact of trash and litter in neighborhoods via social media posts. But, it’s another to put on a trash bag and glove up.
It was heartening to see Philadelphians willing and able to pitch in. But it also made it difficult to imagine what if they weren’t there. What does it mean for stormwater and our waterways if we don’t pick up trash? For parks and other public places?
Engineers can see the danger in maintaining the status quo, and not prioritizing clean streets and neighborhoods. Poor waste management can lead to environmental injustice.
Plastic waste such as plastic bags and water bottles, along with used masks, that are littered around the streets don’t just stay there. Lightweight bags and bottles are often blown by the wind and end up in stormwater drains.
Plastics are strong and can withstand the natural environment. They take hundreds of years to decompose before eventually becoming microplastics. Plastic bags, bottles, fishing nets, and plastic bags account for almost 80% of all microplastics found in the oceans.. These microplastics can be inhaled by marine animals, and could end up in our bodies through the food supply. While the effects of microplastics on human and animal health are still being studied, plastics often contain additives. BPA, bisphenol A (BPA).We know that some of these substances can be toxic to humans and animals.
Rainwater also washes debris and other non-recyclable materials into stormwater drainages. This water can then flow into nearby streams and creeks, eventually making its way to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, which are the major sources for drinking water. These contaminants are not intended to be removed by drinking water treatment plants. Additionally, sewage and water can pose engineering challenges.
Unfortunately, this issue doesn’t exist anymore and belongs to all of you. Although the city had In 2016, we collected more than 11,500 tons of trash. This number will drop to just over 7,100 tonnes in 2021.. According to the Streets Department this is due to staffing shortages but there doesn’t seem to be a bigger, more coherent strategy to prioritize each neighborhood and zip code. Sidewalks along Somerset Street need to be as clean and tidy as those along Spruce Street. Recent pledges, Such as the JustServicesPHLCampaign by Jamie Gauthier (Councilmember), are a needed next step.
This is also an opportunity for us to call upon our fellow Temple Owls. We are guests in North Philadelphia, and must treat our adopted streets as our own. Instead of making excuses, grab a broom. We only have one planet. Haigler stated before the block cleanup that every day should be Earth Day.
Aliya Poblete studies environment engineering at Temple University. She is also president of the Society of Environmental Engineers & Scientists Temple Chapter. Gangadhar Andaluri, a Temple University assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, studies wastewater systems, design and emerging contaminants.