Is it ok to throw glass bottles into a river?

scrotist · 31-03-2025 12:25AM #1

I was drinking a few bottles of alcoholic beverage down the river with a friend. I finished the bottle and threw it into the river.

My friend had a conniption. He said I was littering and I can't be doing that.

My argument was that bottles are natural. Made from sand and stone. It's not littering, it's basically like throwing a rock into the river or a banana skin into the ditch.

Is my friend overreacting or am I in the wrong?

o1s1n · 31-03-2025 12:27AM

It takes a glass bottle up to 4,000 years to disintegrate. So yes, your friend is right and you're a litterer.

scrotist · 31-03-2025 12:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123312628#Comment_123312628

But it's just sand. Who cares if it doesn't disintegrate? It's not toxic and it doesn't harm anybody or any living thing. It's a funny shaped rock basically.

scrotist · 31-03-2025 12:31AM

In fact I'm probably promoting growth of wildlife and "fauna". Some critters could start living inside the bottle. Or even some algae or whatever.

o1s1n · 31-03-2025 12:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123312629#Comment_123312629

Because if loads of people do it you'll end up with a river blocked by piles of bottles that won't disintegrate and realistically will have to be removed like any other litter.

Litter is about two things - pollution and / or obstruction.

It might not be pollution but it's definitely obstruction.

Do you throw your shopping trolleys into the river when you're done with them?

Fann Linn · 31-03-2025 12:37AM

Scrote by name, scrote by nature.

Kaisr Sose · 31-03-2025 12:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123312629#Comment_123312629

OMG ...what an attitude..Totally self obsessed.

Glass bottles are a hazard in any river. They will smash on rocks and potentially cause a nasty cut to someone or a dog, either in the river downstream, or on a beach (where most rivers run to).

Apart from that, throwing anything into river that should be put in a bin or recycled properly (not your version of recycling) is littering. You should not need social media to ask or know that.

greasepalm · 31-03-2025 12:48AM

And now we know you dont care about the environment , will you when you slash your foot on some broken glass.

Recycle your waste properly as its dirty enough without adding to it.

LambshankRedemption · 31-03-2025 12:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058404623/is-it-ok-to-throw-glass-bottles-into-a-river

My German Shepherd is 100% biodegradable. I suppose you would have no problem with me leaving it's dead body on your front lawn. It'll completely degrade in a few months.

igCorcaigh · 31-03-2025 01:09AM

Broken glass tends to be sharp and very unsandlike OP, and not very nice for the river inhabitants… why am I on the internet explaining this?

I'll let Gemini make the argument:

No, it is absolutely not okay to throw glass bottles into a river. Here's why:
Environmental Harm: Glass does not biodegrade quickly. It can take hundreds, even thousands, of years to break down. During this time, it remains as litter in the river ecosystem.
Danger to Wildlife: Broken glass poses a significant danger to fish, birds, mammals, and other river life. Animals can be cut by sharp edges or potentially ingest small fragments.
Danger to Humans: Broken glass in riverbeds or along banks is a serious hazard for people swimming, wading, paddling, or simply walking nearby. It can cause nasty cuts and injuries.
Pollution: Throwing anything that doesn't naturally belong there into a river is pollution. It degrades the water quality and the natural beauty of the environment.
It's Illegal: Disposing of waste, including glass bottles, into waterways is considered illegal dumping or littering and can result in fines.

Frost Spice · 31-03-2025 01:13AM

Gr8 b8 m8

Rubberchikken · 31-03-2025 05:10AM

God you're a pathetic little scrote.

Both My dogs love going into our local rivers.

Our spaniel, in particular, runs in after her ball with not a care in the world.

Can you even begin to imagine if she runs over broken glass.

Careless useless thoughtless flippant waster.

My opinion of course.

Quantum Erasure · 31-03-2025 05:21AM

Better than throwing plastic bottles in anyway

con747 · 31-03-2025 05:23AM

When did you last see green or red or any other colour sand scrotist?

kowloonkev · 31-03-2025 05:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123312704#Comment_123312704

You shouldn't be throwing a ball into the river.

AMKC · 31-03-2025 07:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123312706#Comment_123312706

I disagree. While a plastic bottle can be unsightly at least it will not break and become a danger to the rivers inhabitants or anyone be it human or animal that gets into it. I am not saying that people should do it either though as you should not.

Also you can now recycle plastic bottles and get some money back.