It seems like a complete no-brainer, that we should want to work towards assurance that our local and regional waterways remain clean and uncluttered.

Still, year after year, we turn to the generous volunteer clean-up crews, such as those from Environment Massachusetts collaborated and the Mystic River Watershed Association, to pull out the trash and give the magnificent Mystic River a fresh start once again.

Of particular concern is the overwhelming amount of single use plastics, such as polystyrene, that makes its way into the marine and freshwater ecosystems. More than ever, it seems, the message is missing its mark. People must stop throwing this stuff into the water, and manufacturers need to find alternative packaging materials that are biodegradable and phase out these harmful substances once and for all.

Communities, as well as individuals, have made their concerns clear. The pressure is on to make this type of environmental abuse into a thing of the past. If you feel that a clean and uncluttered environment is the best thing for ourselves and other living things, then consider doing your part to make it happen. Don’t pollute, and don’t let the commercial sector get away with doing it either. Nature will thank you in its own special way.