Please put your trash in the bin!

[Cane]

In major cities in Vietnam, even in places considered sophisticated like the capital Hanoi, it is no longer rare to see people casually throwing trash on the streets, sidewalks, and rivers.

Trash in the Soul

On the contrary, it has become “an everyday occurrence.” What’s noteworthy is that in many places, despite the presence of trash bins, people still throw garbage right next to them, rather than in them. Areas where dumping trash is prohibited often become the garbage collection points for neighborhoods.

Many people believe that the current habit of littering is due to a lack of education or ingrained habits. However, this is not entirely accurate; for example, trash still accumulates even under environmental protection slogans displayed everywhere.

Therefore, the main issue is the lack of awareness among people about environmental protection; more precisely, there is a metaphorical pile of trash in their souls that makes them forget their responsibility to protect the public good.

Throwing Trash in the Bin is Also an Act of Public Good

The public good is defined as “all the conditions of social life that allow groups and individual members of the group to achieve their full and easy perfection” (GS 26). The desire for the “public good” means having the capacity to think beyond one’s own needs. We should care about what is good for everyone (Docat 88). When we throw trash in the bin, we are taking care of what is good for others and ourselves. A clean environment along the canal not only provides a pleasant space for people to relax and exercise but also helps protect overall health. By diligently disposing of our trash properly and avoiding littering, each of us contributes to creating a clean and livable public space. This is what constitutes an act of public good.

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