In Monday’s post, Today’s blizzard, February 2026, I wrote how the blizzard led to another day when I could find no litter in Washington Square Park. As usual, even with over a foot of snow, I found plenty of litter and garbage elsewhere, but at least not in the park, which is like my back yard.

That post shows several beautiful pictures of my neighborhood covered in virginal snow. In that post, I also wrote something that breaks my heart that a lifetime of experience prompts me to express, and with confidence:

I didn’t see any litter in the park this morning so I’m one day into a potential release, but tomorrow is forecast to be sunny and Tuesday is forecast to be warm, so again I’ll take any bet that I won’t make three days.

I wrote that I’d take any bet following up on a post from a few weeks ago, Another time garbage nearly brought me to tears, in which for the first time since I started picking up litter daily in the park, I couldn’t find litter to pick up for two days in a row:

Two days ago I posted My first time since starting not finding litter in Washington Square Park, because over six inches of snow covered it. Since I committed to picking up at least three pieces per day until three days pass when I can’t find three pieces to pick up, I wondered if the snow would make it possible.

I also offered to take any bets that people would litter. Nearly everyone is addicted to doof. Few Americans can eat breakfast without depriving others of life, liberty, and property based on plastic, shipping, etc that pollute and deplete.

Then yesterday I happened to go early in the morning. It was still snowing and I saw no litter again. Two days. Maybe I shouldn’t have offered the bet.

This morning I had the crazy thought that I might make a third day. I decided to go first thing again. It snowed most of the day yesterday and was well below freezing so why would people eat in the park?

Yesterday, I went to the park, hoping we’d make at least a second day without litter. After all, we got 15 inches (38cm) of snow. Who wants to eat in the cold? Wouldn’t you value the snow being pristine?

Here’s the answer: an overflowing garbage can with garbage all over the snow, including a pizza box and Gatorade:

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Pizza places give you pizza hot out of the oven. Don’t people like the melted cheese? Doesn’t eating it the cold wreck the experience?

Isn’t Gatorade marketed to replenish what you lose when you sweat? Obviously, I know people get it for the sweetness—an alternative sugar-water to soda.

When I picked up the litter, I wondered if I’d be able to fit it in the can, seeing it overflowing. When I pushed down on the pile, it turned out I could push it all in. That is, the garbage in it is mostly space left since people mostly just lay their garbage on top of what was left by others before. I suppose I could feel better that despite the volume it takes up, at least the total mass isn’t as great. Instead, I think of how unnecessary it is. We could do away with it all.

We could eat local, seasonal produce without packaging, but we’ve convinced ourselves that takeout saves time and money and helps poor people despite it doing the opposite.

How we pollute and deplete, hurting people with wanton, selfish disregard, violating the Constitution, then acting like we can’t help it, or that not polluting and depleting is privileged or makes life worse . . . is heartbreaking.

• ← Another Spodek Method commitment: a walk in the park with family