There’s finally an internet challenge that isn’t harmful to people and even helps the environment! The #trashtag challenge has become popular in recent weeks. People take a picture of a park, beach, roadside, or piece of land that is littered with trash, and then they post another picture after they have cleaned up the plot, proudly displaying the bags of trash they’ve collected. This trend has gone viral globally, and now even large groups are cleaning up massive areas of land.
This trend has been around for awhile, but resurfaced recently when Bryon Román posted a #trashtag that he found online to Facebook, and it went viral. An unidentified man in the photo poses with before and after shots of a small stretch of woods that have been completely transformed by his efforts to clear the litter. Román wanted to give teens a call to action and captioned the photo, “Here is a new #challenge for all you bored teens. Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about it, and post it.”
This post has gained much attention online and social media users worldwide are taking part. People are making #trashtag posts from the USA, Thailand, Mexico, India, and Cambodia. Some are cleaning large beaches with huge communities of people and others are pulling trash out of the ocean while paddleboarding on vacation.
With already more than 26,000 posts online, this hashtag is already making a huge mark in our world. However, if you don’t have the time to do something like this, there are many smaller ways you can help the environment every day.
Reusable Bags
By using reusable bags, you cut down on the amount of plastic you use and inevitably throw out. Plastic bags take a while to disintegrate and can choke and suffocate animals that may mistake them for food. Keep a few reusable bags in your car so you always have some with you. Some stores, such as Target, even offer a discount to customers using reusable bags.
Carpooling
Even modern, fuel-efficient cars pollute the air and are an environmental concern. By carpooling with friends or biking to class or work, you can lessen the amount of pollution your vehicle produces. You will also save money by not using as much gas and get exercise if you choose to bike or walk. Next time you’re looking for a new car, shop for one that’s more fuel efficient. The team here at Sears Imported Autos can help you find the right one.
Composting
Instead of throwing away food waste, try composting it. This will lessen the amount of garbage in landfills and it will also be great for your yard or garden. Fruit skins, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other food scraps are great for composting. Layer the compost with some soil to create a mix that will make perfect food for your flower or vegetable garden.
Everything helps, so whether you decide to organize several friends for the #trashtag challenge or decide to just do small things like composting or recycling, you are probably having a bigger impact on the environment than you realize! If you're ready to reduce your carbon footprint with a more fuel-efficient vehicle, contact us today and we can help you protect the environment.
