Ep. 13: Do Something Good - Pick up trash!

Intro:

If you look for them, you can always find win-win situations. Recycling: You get a refund, the resources recycled are saved. Shopping Locally: You discover your community, your community's economy improves. In this post I want to nudge you towards doing a win-win situation you've probably heard of before: Picking up trash. You get outside, get some exercise, clean up your neighbourhood, do something meaningful, and prevent microplastics from entering the ecosystem - the benefits are varied and plenty. The only 'cost' is time, but in a world where we hoard our time for sometimes absurd and/or pointless uses (doomscrolling?), I think it's time we give some of our minutes back for a good cause. And so: here is my not-so-professional "guide" (read: random information) to cleaning up our surroundings. If you take anything away from this post, it's that you definitely need to do this.  

What You Need (not much!):

• Trash Bag(s)
• Gloves and/or Trash Picker-uppers
• Weather appropriate clothes

What It's Nice to Have:

• Hand sanitiser
• Friends
• Food, for longer excursions
• Music
• A designated time in your schedule every week/month to do this

Tips:

• Bring friends!!! Never underestimate the power of friendship and/or an extra pair of hands.
• If you are working as a group, make sure the person holding the trash bag has gloves. The experience is a lot nicer for them and it allows them to pick up trash with one hand while holding the bag.
• An old embroidery hoop, wire hoop, or anything circular is great for keeping the trash bag open in the wind.
• Use a smaller trash bag when you expect to pick up less - reduce waste!
• Work methodically, going back and forth while constantly scanning your eyes (like a pro soccer player). It may be tedious, but you'll feel a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you've completely cleaned an area.
• Don't be afraid to record your journey! Take pictures, write about what you've found, whatever - it will bring back great memories for future you.
• If you really get into this and want to commit to something, your city may offer "adopt-a-street" programs. The power of responsibility...

Things I've Picked Up:

• Socks
• Part of a Croc Shoe
• Bubble Blowing Wands
• Bubble Tea Containers
• Countless cigarette butts (At a school!)
• Cannabis containers (Again, AT A SCHOOL)
• Juice boxes (Sad, they are easily recycled)