Elita and Benno Grafke take a stand against "uncivil trash"
In an ongoing war against the blight of carelessly discarded waste, Elita and Benno Grafke of Willich tirelessly champion their cause, preaching mindfulness and awareness against litter. As Elita concisely puts it, "It's become a labor of love for us, and we must keep spreading the message, like a mantra, to inspire change."
The couple's mission was sparked by profound sights of animal suffering, such as a hedgehog trapped in a can or a bird entangled by a cigarette butt. This torment stirred a deep-rooted determination in Elita, leading her and Benno to create 'Wild Litter - Life Threat for Animals.'
Over the years, they've spearheaded numerous crusades to spotlight the issue. Their focus on engaging children proved successful, as they found the topic to be captivating. School exhibitions about wild litter generated interest, as did other initiatives like a music video, hip-hop song, booklets, and educational materials for students.
One popular endeavor was the installation of cigarette butt meters throughout the city. Elita revealed, "Germany witnesses the consumption of 74 billion cigarettes annually, about two-thirds of which – a staggering 49 billion butts – are callously discarded, jeopardizing both flora and fauna." The 'talkative trash bin, Mr. Fill,' which appreciates when you dispose of litter, was also well-received.
However, the crowning achievement in their fight against wild litter was last year's massive plogging tour and demonstration with Kitas Bauhaus and Gartenland. Wardens and children marched together, banners and signs in hand, raising awareness and collecting waste along the way. Elita shared, "We transformed the footage from that day into a video that is now available to all. Our hope is to reach more people and sensitize them to the cause of wild litter." Check out the video by scanning the QR code
The couple's crusade is far from over. "We're always on the lookout for new allies," Elita declared with resilience. Together, they continue to wage their fight against the torment of wild litter, unyielding in their pursuit of change.
Elita Grafke is actively advocating for environmental-science education in schools, willingly incorporating various methods like school exhibitions, books, and educational materials to inspire students and foster a mindful lifestyle towards waste disposal. As their crusade continues, Elita and Benno Grafke are eagerly seeking partners in education-and-self-development programs to amplify their message and further sensitize the public to the importance of reducing wild litter.
