Hacker News Reader

I sympathize with the plight of the homeless and donate what I can to local Bay Area charities. But after volunteering with some river cleanup efforts I am appalled by the amount of litter that homeless people thoughtlessly dump in ecologically sensitive areas. And don't tell me they had no alternative: there were public garbage cans within easy walking distance.

View on HN

Part of that problem might be explained by thoughtlessness, but I can think of four practical reasons:

1. "Trash" marks a spot where you intend to return. This can help ensure that you have a regular place to sleep.

2. What appears to be trash might have some value to the hoarder, e.g., trashy but wearable clothing, recyclables, etc.

3. Litter can camouflage minor valuables, so you can accomplish #1 and also have a hiding place for stuff people might steal.

4. Given all of the above, trash naturally gathers in a homeless community and eventually gets dumped however is most practical.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com