The indiscriminate dumping of garbage is quite possibly triggered by a mental illness that is rampant throughout our small island. Included in that group are those who carelessly litter and those who dispose of dead animals anywhere rather than bury them. Gone are the days when we could plead ignorance as responsible agencies have valiantly put out Public Service Announcements (PSAs) regularly on various media outlets. Gone are the days when there were hardly any visible disposal facilities. The Castries Constituency Council (CCC), The St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Unit, and other like entities have strengthened their efforts in garbage collection and indeed the management of garbage generally. So, why is it that we are still sufficiently bombarded with scenes that make the country look like one big heap of trash. Our coastal waters speak loudly about our indiscretions both on land and at sea. And let’s not get started about tossing litter out of the windows of moving vehicles. It must be said that we are a far cry from where we were at one point but that was at a time when excuses may have had a little credibility, maybe. What is our excuse now? We are even able to put out our old appliances on certain days and it will be collected for disposal. In this festive season, there will obviously be more eating and drinking, more parties, more beach events, more outdoor activities. These are some of the times when the presence of garbage becomes most dire. These are the times when our beautiful beaches are not so beautiful, encouraging and inviting rodents and stray animals to make an already bad situation worse. What is then the cure for this malady? How do we, as a people, stop this illness? Can we even stop it? No amount of legislation will be enough to completely remedy this situation. The suggestion must then be for each one of us to become self-appointed litter wardens. This suggestion may sound like something from a primary school student, and it actually is, but it may be the only suggestion that will resonate in the long term. After all, the good book did say in Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouths of babes”………..