When did you start doing this? During the pandemic we starting walked a lot more since we intentionally avoided indoor spaces. When we’d spot trash along the route, I’d get tired of seeing it but did not want to touch the bottles and cans out of a fear of the unknown (if you remember, when the pandemic started, we were not sure how long the virus lived on surfaces). I finally identified a solution and purchased a gripper stick to touch the trash and now found I really enjoy making my neighborhood look better.
How often do you “pick-it-all”? I walk every day, sometimes twice a day, but only carry a trash bag and gripper about once a week. During other walks I find myself making mental notes about the location of trash and then go about recovering it more methodically when I do a pick it all walk.
What do you find on your walks? The majority are neighborhood provided dog bags, empty containers from fast food, and bottles from sports drinks, water, and alcohol. There is no shortage of blown trash around the route heading to the transfer station.
What is your most notable find? I picked up an android tablet along Village Parkway, but it was badly damaged like it had fallen out of a car. I also find too many empty metal canisters of nitrous oxide which users apparently do not want to have discovered in their own trash.
What do people say when they see you? I don’t do this for recognition, but I do want to promote that “we the people” own our sidewalks and trails. If we want them to look better, we need to take a stand…I mean, take a walk! However, most people smile, speak, or gesture thanks, and a few ask what kind of picker I have and where I bought it indicating they too may wish to join what I’m calling the “Pick-it-all Club”.
** The original post from last year can be found here: Web Link
