Sunday morning at 8 a.m., Dinkytown doesn’t look all that different from the dusty Western movie towns the day after a shootout. The locals have abandoned the area, gone home to recuperate from the night’s events. At this early hour, the streets are still empty.

But instead of duels the night before, the scene contained bar fights and boisterous walks home. And instead of tumbleweeds rolling down the road, it’s napkins and remnants of students’ late-night snacking.

It’s a sure sign of spring – the telltale garbage littering the sidewalks on the weekends. Hibernation has ended; a walk home from the bars is finally bearable.

And maybe with the walk comes a stop for a slice of pizza or a Big Mac. The weather’s nice enough now that you can even stand outside and eat.

But where does that takeout box, wrapper or fountain-drink cup end up when you’re done with it?

An 8 a.m. drive through Dinkytown last weekend provided a sad answer: the streets and sidewalks.

Yesterday was Earth Day, and all this week community members and people everywhere are trying to contribute to improving the planet.

Yet, at the same time, nearly every weekend, students show little respect for the environment by not taking actions as simple as throwing their trash in the garbage. It shouldn’t even take a special day of the year to remind us not to litter or pollute. Our simple everyday actions should contribute to respecting the planet and our neighbors.

You may go home at the end of the night and maybe sleep until 10 a.m. or not leave the house until the afternoon. But the neighborhood and businesses have to deal with what remains of your night out.

With the warming weather and Spring Jam coming up, students will be spending more time outdoors. Be mindful of your actions and what you leave behind.

A dirty, littered neighborhood reflects badly on the community and shows little respect for the businesses, residents and environment.