By Lito De Veterbo

BYOTH = Bring Your Own Trash Home

1. When we leave our trash in local communities or travel destinations, we add burden to them, especially if they do not have a proper disposal system. We bring our own trash home to avoid giving them the burden of disposing our trash, which in the first place is our burden.

Let’s look at these cases:

a. Scenic spots along highways serving as pit stops for travellers and motorists to take a break are littered with garbage, mostly disposable food packaging and utensils. We are amazed by the existence of these spots but we damage them.

In the mountaineering community, the jump off has become the disposal site by irresponsible, misinformed mountaineers after completing a climb.

In both cases, we ask these questions:

  • What happens to the trash left behind?
  • Who takes the burden of disposing the trash?
  • What contribution did we give to maintain and protect the place we visit?

2. Things and trash brought from home must go all the way back home. This also encourages discipline in packing: Do not bring it if you cannot bring it back home.

3. Things purchased locally, including the trash generated through these local purchases, need not be brought home. Leave them locally.