"Litter attracts litter," Paul Goossen Chair of the Discovery Nature Sanctuary in Winkler, says that when litter is abundant in an area, it increases the likelihood of others adding to that litter.

Litter either from an overflowing trash can, construction supplies that have blown in from the wind, or a pedestrian not wanting to carry some of their waste; if garbage is lying around people are more likely to add to that pile.

Each new snowfall buries trash further and further down until trash rears it's ugly head once again come spring's melt. Around the world, cities generate an average of 2.01 billion tonnes of solid waste, not only is this waste an eyesore it's hazardous for the ecosystem and ourselves Goossen says.

In sites like the sanctuary, garbage can diminish a person's experience as it is an eyesore says Goossen, not only is it unpleasant to look at, litter can attract unwanted pests, and toxic chemicals from plastics or discarded cigarette butts can seep into the ground and bodies of water, poisoning microbes, plants, and animals.

DNS is looking to the next generation to be the change, hoping to inspire them to become caretakers of the Earth. Goossen says they have many clean-up initiatives to involve students, cleaning up garbage in spring and at the end of summer.

"To try to reduce or eliminate litter, it's important for students, the youth, our future leaders to understand litter is an incredibly huge issue within the global environment. By them coming out and actually seeing the litter, and engaging in the cleanup, and hopefully seeing that the environment looks much more pleasant without litter around, it will spark some encouragement within them in being model citizens."

Goossen says people who want to take the initiative in reducing litter can begin by placing litter in the appropriate receptacles, using fewer non-reusable materials, and encouraging education for eco-friendly and sustainable choices.