“No hope for humanity,” I muttered to myself as I stooped down.
Three cigarette butts, one soda can, one Skittles wrapper and two miscellaneous clear cellophanes.
That’s what I picked up on the walk from the parking lot to the Bayou Building and threw away. That’s what people are too lazy to toss in the bin themselves.
That’s why my mom and I started “Trashy Girls,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to cleaning up litter.
We were so sick of seeing our stomping grounds covered in filth that we decided it was time to do something about it. The idea came to us after jogging the trails near our house and picking up all the litter along the way. From water bottles to cigar wrappers, there was a lot to throw away.
When we got back home, we remarked on our experience, and my mom said, “I guess we’re just a couple of trashy girls.”
Immediately, I knew we had something.
“Trashy Girls,” I said. “I like that. I’ll be back.” Without a moment’s hesitation, we created the logo, got the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts locked down, and wrote our vision and mission statement.
We planned our first cleanup for the very next day: a post-Pride parade cleanup. We printed our logos onto iron-on paper, got five friends and, armed with our gloves and trash bags, hit the streets. People enthusiastically helped us and asked about our group. “Trashy Girls” was an instant success.
After our first couple of cleanups, we decided to focus primarily in the city we live in: Baytown. We have been receiving quite a bit of recognition, and other local organizations are looking forward to working with us.
Here are some interesting facts about litter from Keep America Beautiful that might convince you to join in, as well:
– The United States alone throws away 195 million tons of trash per year, equaling 4.5 pounds of trash per person per day, costing Americans $11.5 billion to clean annually
– 9 billion tons of litter ends up in the ocean every year.
– 50 percent of littered items are cigarette butts.
Even if only ten percent of the Clear Lake area population picked up ONE piece of trash every day, that would be over 14,000 less pieces of trash per day.
Our next cleanups are as follows:
Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Goose Creek Park in Baytown
Satuday, Sept. 26 for the “Texas Coastwide Cleanup” in Galveston
We’re not asking you to change your entire lifestyle, but the next time you’re walking from the car into the convenience store, pick up that Styrofoam cup and toss it into the trash can. Or the next time you walk around your neighborhood or local park, grab that random paper or plastic trash and throw it away. Even if you just walk to your mailbox or out to your car, look around and snag any litter you see. Improve your surroundings. Think before you litter. Get “trashy” with us.
It’s a good thing.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/trashygirls.
Keep up the good work Lana! (both writing and cleaning the world!) Last Saturday, I volunteered for my job to help clean up Sylvan Beach and I agree with your statement “no hope for humanity” when I see trash right next to a trash can!! Really people? On the bright side, your “Trashy Girls” organization inspires me to pick up a trash or two, after all we only have one earth — so lets take care of it! 🙂
Excellent quality of journalistic writing with stats, yet! Way to go, Lana!