One way of confronting the issue of plastic pollution is to do your own cleanup! Cleanups can be done by any individual and only require a few materials. Here’s how to do one.

Materials

• Bag/bucket – The most necessary component, bags and buckets are carried with you during the cleanup to store the trash you pick up. Any amount of cleaning up helps, but if you want to really make a splash, consider having multiple bags on hand. Many of our early cleanups came to a forced halt due to running out of space in our limited storage materials.
• Gloves – Gloves help provide protection against dirty and sharp objects.
• Trash Picker – Trash pickers are an optional material. They can help extend your reach and pick up trash in difficult locations.
• Water – Cleanups can be tiring, so it is important to stay hydrated and energized.

Choosing Your Location

In our modern world, plastic pollution is present around the world. As a result, a cleanup can be conducted virtually anywhere. However, we would recommend choosing a place that is safe to walk on and where litter poses a high risk of being environmentally damaging. For example, litter at coastal areas has a high risk of being environmentally damaging because much of that water will eventually reach the ocean.

What To Expect

We have run into all types of trash at our cleanups. Remember that safety is always the top priority and some types of trash are dangerous to touch. However, generally speaking, we commonly pick up cigarettes, plastic bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers, styrofoam, tin cans, straws, and fishing gear.

Have Fun!

Cleanups can be lots of fun if done with a positive attitude. Invite your friends, listen to music, and help make a difference!