Runner and environmentally conscious TikToker pepper steps (@pepper.steps) shared a post showcasing all the litter they found in a nearby ditch on a run. The video is part of a challenge they started in which they set a goal of picking up 83 pounds of trash.
As the creator finds and holds up random items, such as an animal jaw bone and license plate, they proclaim, "I cannot wrap my head around why someone would just chuck s*** out of their window." To help meet their 83-pound clean-up goal, the runner even has a scale to weigh their current load — which comes in at over 16 pounds.
@pepper.steps this is my second time out picking up litter as i attempt to reach the total of 83 POUNDS! a lil while ago i posted a challenge video offering to pick up trash, and the total number ended up at 83LBS. so needless to say, i've got my work cut out for me, but i'm a woman of my word and i'm not stopping with picking up litter until we reach that total. and in this video, you can see i'm FINALLY starting to make a dent in that total. as has happened before, i'm fully expecting to hear comments saying things such as "you could just pick up trash and not post about it," and while i agree that posting about doing good deeds can sometimes take the altruism out of the deed itself, i'm not doing this to pat myself on the back. in fact, i'm doing this in the name of those who made this challenge possible in the first place! and I feel like i must say, having BOTH the time, energy, and physical ability to go diving in ditches for garbage is a privilege. not everyone is able to do this, and I'd like to do it on their behalf, all while cultivating a community here at peppercorn HQ that cares about Mother Earth. so negative nellies, be gone! plus, you and i know that my intentions are pure, and we're just out lookin' to have a silly goose time ya feel me?! anywhoooo, i hope you enjoy the ramblings of a crazy person as i scurry through a ditch like the little trash goblin i am. happy steppin'! #ecofriendly #trash #litterbugchallenge #nature #naturelover #earth #motherearth #forest #enviromentallyfriendly #trashcleanup #cleaning #cleanup #tree #treelover #treehugger #trees #trails #hiking #happytrails #challenge #test #explore #fyp ♬ Bossa Nova jazz that seems to fit in a cafe(1433079) - TAKANORI ONDA
The video also demonstrates how to safely clean up public areas. The creator uses "double bags for safety," wears gloves, and uses a grab tool instead of their hands. With so many unknown and potentially sharp objects like glass or needles, volunteer litter pickers must protect themselves while helping the environment. If working on the side of a road like the poster, it's also a good idea to wear a safety vest to be visible to drivers.
Trash thrown out of car windows or otherwise can endanger wildlife that may mistake plastic items for food and choke. Trash piles can also create hiding places for more dangerous vermin like rodents and snakes.
A once beautiful area can also depreciate, affecting nearby home prices. When you throw out useful items, that's less that gets recycled or upcycled for a greater purpose. Plus, according to Statista, it takes plastic as long as 500 years to break down in a landfill, where it creates planet-warming pollution and leaches toxins into the air and water.
If you're a runner or hiker, do your part to keep these beautiful places free of trash by bringing a daypack to hold containers and wrappers from snacks when hiking. Whether walking or driving in the area, take your trash and recycling home to place in proper bins, unless you see some along the way.
The do-gooding TikToker received plenty of praise and support from commenters.
Impressed by their safety tools, one person asked, "What equipment are you using for this? Brand of bags, grabby hand, gloves, etc. I'd love to start picking the litter up around my community."
"I hope you reuse bags as much as possible especially if you are double bagging," someone advised. "Btw you are adorable."
🗣️ Do you worry about how much food you throw away?
🔘 Definitely 😭
🔘 Sometimes 😢
🔘 Not really 😞
🔘 Never 🤷
🗳️ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind
"Thank you for what you do," added another. "We need more of you in the world."
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