Pick Up America
Picking up litter as you walk the street is a little act that can go a long way in helping your local area stay clean and motivate others to save our world. A young, six member crew of American’s have set out on a journey to cross their nation and pick up litter from America’s highways. Through actions, this inspirational team is making the statement that we all need to do our part to move toward a “zero-waste community.”
Pick Up America is the nation’s first coast-to-coast roadside litter pickup. Our mission is to pick up trash across the country, educate, and encourage a transition toward zero waste. Through community litter clean-ups and outreach events, the Pick Up Artists encourage alternatives to our nation’s throwaway mentality.
The six professional volunteers, including co-founders Jeff Chen and Davey Rogner, began their route in Maryland on March 2010 and plan on ending this part of their personal journeys in San Francisco by December 2012. As of today Pick Up America has gathered 143,291 pounds of litter from the roadsides of America (pause for applause…) and is currently in Colorado.
Along the way, as they pick up litter, the team has been sharing stories and taking time off form time-to-time to work with communities, meet new friends and do artwork with strangers in the name of community outreach; All while documenting their progress on their interactive and warm website. By encouraging everyone to find alternative’s to our throwaway mentality while educating and encouraging a transition to a zero waste community, Pick Up America is truly making a difference.
Pick Up America is funded predominantly through private donations (donate here) and corporate sponsorship and relies on strangers for help in various situations. If Pick Up America is in your local area, we encourage you to look out for their diesel and waste vegetable oil powered bus and help these young eco-heroes pick up trash, educate and encourage the transition toward a zero-waste world. Read More about the Zero Waste Movement Here
Photos sourced from the Pick Up America Website
Tags: America, Trash, Zero Waste