Why is there more rubbish on the streets of Bootle?

One day last year, while walking to the park with my son, he asked me why there was so much rubbish on the floor. Sometimes kids ask or say things that break through your blindness and acceptance of how things are. 'I don't know,' I said. 'Some people drop it on the floor.' 'Why would they do that?' he said. I didn't have a good answer.

My son goes to school in Formby and the area up there might be described as 'more affluent' than Bootle. Both are in Sefton Local Authority, but have different MPs. Both have Viking names from back in the day. When I am in Formby though, there is less rubbish.

As my three year old son asked...'Why?'

There are a number of possible answers, and I don't know the truth of it, but here goes with some thoughts...

There is a saying that one should not shit where one eats. It can be applied in a number of contexts but might also be viewed as saying that you should not make a mess where you live. Humans are social beings that live in communities, and it is thought that we generally evolved in units of 150. Someone who did not consider their community or made a mess within the group would not have been tolerated. Indigenous groups often leave areas as they find them, and move on to pastures new without destroying the ecosystem. Often it is part of their culture and tradition, even religion, that one should live as one with nature and the environment. The Buddhist tradition points towards how a Bee takes what it needs but leaves the flower intact. In fact, the Bee is helping the flower to breed. Symbiosis and community is built in to nature. But at the same time nature is brutal and violent. A lion might kill what it needs and a whale might consume unbelievable levels of life - but this is not done gratuitously and is part of the balance of nature. If it didn't it would not happen.

Human evolution and development means we are now living lifespans approaching a century, have increased populations, and can prevent disease and starvation at levels previously only dreamed about. But at the same time there is a crisis of meaning and inequality. Some live really well. Others live near the edge. All is relative. The rate of change in the modern world and our detachment from nature in many contexts is often hard on the mind. Change used to be slow. The future was more certain in many ways. But increasingly, things are in flux.

Only might call the disconnection between our inner worlds and the outer world of environment and nature as Cartesian Dualism. Within and without. This has led to the exploitation of nature at unsustainable levels. Humans and the systems they have created often seek to control and exploit resources and other planetary life. Many argue that we need to reconnect with nature and the outside world more. This might be referred to as Holism.

In the fantastic World at War series a US soldier mentions in passing how soldiers in war zones often destroy everything they come across. He says it is often underreported and not acknowledged. There is in all of us an element of destruction and control. A need to shape things, to leave a mark, to create something from the ashes of something else. There are cave paintings that attest to this in early humans. To use fire is similar. Art helps nourish the mind. Fire helps nourish the body through the preparation of food and the ability to keep us warm. When we lose the connection with nature we lose connection with ourselves. To destroy, to pollute, to kill, to control - these are things in all of us - is the victory of the negative within us. It asserts that we are better than other people and other things. In part it comes from an evolutionary need to ensure one is looked after and can express oneself and have ones needs met. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be taken to excess at an individual level - alcoholism, nihilism, and at a societal level - domination, subjugation, exploitation and war.

Throwing rubbish on the floor is a learned behaviour. It is an inner expression of individuality. Of being able to mould the world. It is also an expression of nihilism. Of not caring. Of disaffection.

Bootle is a deprived area. The cost of living hits hard here. Issues with housing hit hard here. Poverty hits hard here. The voting turnout is low. It voted for Brexit (in contrast to the wider region) and historically has lower recycling rates compared to the rest of Sefton. People are often tough and cynical (despite the scouse humour shining through at times!). In such areas people might be more likely to drop rubbish even if the vast majority don't. Even if the vast majority have pride and would never do such a thing. But here there is more rubbish than Formby. Why?

Do people have more of a stake in their community in Formby? Or think they do?

Why are the play parks better in Formby? Do people value them more? (I see them regularly with my son.)

Does the council get more complaints in Formby about poor standards? Can they not afford to remedy the situation given local government cuts in recent years? Do they not know what to do?

Do people in Bootle just shrug their shoulders?

Should we complain more?

Should we look to set up community groups to take action as central government retreats?

Or, should we set up Citizen Assemblies to look at this issue? Members of the public to come up with ideas and to implement them?

Big questions that need big answers.

Some might say that people allow things to happen. It is the chicken and the egg I guess. Which comes first? Deprivation or litter?

In the meantime, in answer to the question why, sort out your own little patch and speak to others. Form groups like the excellent Bootle Action Group, that sorts litter picks and looks after certain areas to create community spaces. Challenge people.

And never ever stop asking, 'Why?'

As the Manic Street Preachers said - 'if we tolerate this our children will be next.'

Maybe they won't be dropping it, but they will see it on the streets and in the parks and near their homes.

Why?