It's funny how things stick in your mind. Back in the '90s the local TV stations played a PSA about litter and the ocean.
The memorable catch phrase was "But where does it go?" "Away." It was very clever because even 20 years after the PSA aired if my husband and I see someone littering, one of us will turn to the other and say, "But where does it go?" The other answers: "Away."
I was reminded once again of that PSA while thinking of Earth Day Week and this article on plastic floating islands in the Atlantic. Kinda like that floating island in Life of Pi
only grosser and just as dangerous to small marine life. There's an even bigger one in the Pacific and according to wikipedia "80% comes from land based sources." Proof that even if you toss it out the car window it doesn't just 'go away.' (On the other hand, it sounds like a great plot to an post-apocalyptic novel: people living on giant floating garbage islands because the zombies/vampires/werewolves have taken over land!) Anyway, I was surprised to find that video on Youtube. Here it is in all it's Maritime glory.
I've read about this - I first came across it in The World Without Us which is an excellent book. What's the name they call it? The Great Atlantic Rubbish Dump or something. It makes me feel ill thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteLoved that commercial! And my husband and I do the same quoting all the time. It's vital to have the pause before saying Away. I didn't realize it was only in the Maritimes.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where I was when they aired that commercial - I don't remember it at all.
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