Why don't skiers turn green?

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 508, 19 October 1993, Page 7 (Supplement)

Why don't skiers turn green?

"I couldn't believe it! I was skiing in perfect snow, in the middle of nowhere and not another person or track in sight. "Then a metalic clunk. I had to stop. What was it? Had something dropped off my skis? I walked back up to where I'd heard the noise. My tack was ruined, the perfect run that would have made my holiday, was spoiled. "There lying in the pearl white powder was the infamous red Coke can! Can you not go anywhere without seeing one thrown away by some litter lout? I was annoyed. Someone had obviously left this can lying around without caring and when the snow was harder it had been blown to this hidden comer of the mountains. "We go skiing to get away from the filth of the cities and to be in the fresh, clean air and white snows of the mountains. But so many don't care and leave their litter wherever they go. Maybe some will say that ski areas are already spoiled with the lifts and mountain restaurants, but that is not a reason to drop litter from the chair. After the winter, the areas under the cables are still homes to wildlife. i "Snow does a very good job of covering everything with a white blanket, making it all look new, but we should think about what is left after the snow melts and put our litter in the bin. Most ski areas are very good about placing waste baskets around the bars and lifts, but still so many drop their cigarettes ends and packets, drink cans and snack

wrappers trom tne cnairs. For litter to decompose; it takes: Cigarette filters: 10-12 years; aluminium cans: 90-100 years; orange peel: 6 months; milk or juice cartons: 5 years; plastic bottles: 50-80 years; plastic bags: 10-20 years; paper: 25 months. Let's try to keep the mountain clean - not just superficially clean because of waste hidden by the last snowfall. Editor's note: Most people are willing to help if you make it easier for them so perhapsthe ski areas could provide more bins on the mountain. Beside the queues would be good as everyone must gopastthem alsomestage.