Week 30: #Waves4Change 2020 Sustainability Challenge: Pick Up a Piece of Trash Each Day

Why Take This Challenge?

It is nearly impossible to leave your home and not see trash where it does not belong, especially if you live in a densely populated area. THere is lots of reason you bump into litter, from a blustery wind, to a curious raccoon, to a careless neighbor. Whose job is it to pick up trash? Everybody! This challenge is ideal for dog walkers, who set out every day on foot with a trash bag in hand, but is well suited to anyone that would like their street to be a little cleaner. All that litter ends up somewhere, and clogging up or contaminating our storm drains is NOT the best destination.

How Does This Challenge Benefit Me?

You probably already pick up the errant piece of trash that ends up in your front yard, to improve its appearance. Consider the litter in the road as part of your view. If you aren’t already out on a walk around the block with your dog each day, now you have a new excuse to get those steps in. If there’s litter near your place of work, or on the way into the store, or especially in a park, you’re part of the community that cares for this space.

What If I Already Did This?

Up for a challenge? Consider the tougher to reach trash, like a plastic bag stuck in a tree or cigarette butts in the gravel. Think about places where trash reappears regularly. Can you help get a permanent trash can at that location? Clean up a storm drain. If it seems like you’re regularly seeing the same types of trash, like styrofoam, plastic bottles, and straws, evaluate your role in purchasing those objects in the first place.Â

Prep This Weekend for a More Sustainable Week

Keep a few gloves and bags around for this task. If you’d like to incorporate a new trash walk into your routine, find a time of day that works for you. If you’re going for a hike, note if there’s a place for you to drop of your  finds off on the way back to your car.