Whenever we go for a walk through the streets of a big city we notice at once how dirty they are. Litter, scraps of paper, cans, bottles and plastic containers are scattered almost everywhere. According to a rough estimate, an ordinary European produces about 300 kilograms of litter yearly. It is generally believed that the only way we can increase human wealth is by producing more and consuming more. However, if we do not want to turn our environment into a garbage heap in the process, we should change our way of thinking and stop being so wasteful. We can no longer afford to throw away non-disposable containers or packages or soon there will be no meadow, no beach, no lake, no space free from the debris of man.
             Therefore what can we, ordinary citizens, do for the environment? Even if we do not consider ourselves ecofreaks or do not particularly like the idea of taking part in ecological campaigns or protests, we can still try to be more "environmentally friendly" in our everyday life. One thing we might do for the environment is buying only ecologically safe products made from or wrapped in recycled or biodegradable material, and boycotting others. Another possibility is returning cans and bottles to a store or putting them into specially designed containers. Finally, we could save newspapers and return them to a recycling center. Whatever we do, we should always bear in mind that even the slightest effort to reduce litter is meaningful. If we are i indifferent, our desire for a cleaner environment may never be fulfilled.
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