greenerMIAMI

Go Heat! Boooo, Flier Advertisers!

Go Heat! Wow, what a game! As part of a chillin' Sunday, my husband and I went down to the AA Arena before the game last night, just to people watch.

It was a really fun atmosphere, with lots and lots of Heat fans dressed in white.

The crowd was excited, the band was playing, and people were dancing. Pictures of David Hasselhoff and variations on "Wade County" were everywhere.

You know what else was everywhere? Fliers. When are advertisers going to learn that people don't look at fliers? It's also the one piece of trash that apparently no one has an issue with tossing directly on the ground.

I would like to call out each of the flier advertisers individually, hoping that the public will join me in my disappointment of these companies & individuals. Booo! Holaamerica.com. Booo! Re-election campaign for Judge Karen Mills Francis. Boooo! Ring Warriors: IBF Junior Welterweight World Title. Boooo! Net10.

I would bet that I could count on my fingers how many of these fliers made it home. Again, I would like to encourage our readers: do not accept fliers. Show these advertisers that we don't want to be reached this way.

And finally, Let's Go Heat! Game 6, Tuesday in Dallas.

Update 6/19/06: In response to my direct complaint emailed to the campaign mentioned above, Karen Mills Francis replied:

I am in receipt of your email in reference to my campaign literature which was disseminated at one of the Heat Games. It was my realization of this very problem which prompted me to eliminate the use of palm cards at last nights game. The campaign only used persons carrying signs, which we took away from the area once the game began. Please know that I care a lot about the environment. I live on a canal in north Miami and it breaks my heart that people could carelessly throw thrash into the water where fish and other wildlife are trying to survive.I feel the same way about the trash I see in public and national parks.

Please know that I am truly sorry that my campaign overlooked the possibility that litter might be created as a result of distributing palm cards at such a major event and we will make every effort henceforth to be mindful of the environment in the future.

Boooo! Litter Bugs

I'd like to send out a big loud "Boooo!" to all those litter bugs out there. Yesterday, as I was leaving Shenandoah Branch Library, the Ice Cream truck drove by. How cool, I didn't know they still existed. Two teenage girls bought their Popsicles and the truck drove off. One of the girls then took the pop out of the wrapper, tossed the wrapper on the ground, and started eating. That was it.

I mean, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but, WHAT? Who is raising these kids?

This isn't the first time, either. Last month I was in Islamorada and saw a mother and three kids walking on the side of the road. One of the girls finished her drink and just tossed it into the bushes. Mom says nothing.

And even worse? I say nothing. I get upset, and say nothing.

How should we deal with litterbugs? How can we as individuals make a difference? Is it as simple as saying something? Would you say, "Please don't litter" or "Please pick up your trash" or "Oops, you just dropped something"? Is it better to just go over and pick it up ourselves?

I could have filled at least three bags of trash today, just as I was walking around. Next time I'll bring a bag and a glove and see what I wind up with. Keep Florida Beautiful recommends starting out by just picking up one piece of litter a day. (The KFB site is really quite disappointing.) Also, Baynanza is coming up soon, which finishes off a month of activities with Baynanza Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day on April 22. Sign up no later than April 3.

City of Miami litter link, Miami Dade County litter link

Update, March 15: Today I went walking with a plastic bag and glove in hand. I filled the bag, mostly with disposable cups. I certainly didn't pick up every piece of trash I saw, but I would say the theme for today was disposable cups. Pollo Tropical, Starbucks, clear plastic, styrofoam, soda cans, beer cans, lids, straws, THREE CapriSuns (didn't know they were still so popular). I also picked up an empty cigarette carton, paper bag, and a photocopy.

Imagine the difference I could make if I did just one bag every time I go for a walk. Imagine the difference we all could make if we just pick up a random piece of litter now and then.

Boooo! Jenny Tower

I'd like to send out a Boooo! to Jenny Tower, a new high-rise tower (not sure if it's built yet?) near Jackson Memorial Hospital and Cedars Medical Center.

Yesterday I was visiting the Jackson Memorial complex and was greeted by many (I would say around 50) fliers all over the ground.

I would like to encourage Jenny Tower to change their practices, along with any other company that uses fliers as a publicity and advertising method, to realize that most fliers handed out go directly onto the ground. Not only is it wasted money & effort for the company trying to get the word out, it creates a lot of unnecessary trash & litter.