The #Trashtag Challenge Is Restoring Our Faith In Humanity

Finally, a positive viral challenge that is making a change in the world

Elana

• Published in Interesting
• March 21, 2019

Over the last decade social media has brought about something, quite frankly, horrible. Viral challenges. Sometimes a few good ones sneak through that both spread a positive message, raise funds for a good cause, and amuse us simultaneously (the ice bucket challenge might be considered a good example.) Sadly, though, most viral challenges are really, really stupid. From youth eating ridiculous and dangerous things like Tide Pods to YouTube "influencers" participating in the Birdbox challenge and driving blindfolded, we have seen more than enough stupidity to last multiple lifetimes.

It's about time we are way overdue for a positive viral challenge and the #Trashtag challenge has risen to the occasion and far surpassed our expectations. It's encouraging and empowering to see how many people are happy to participate in a challenge that involves cleaning up communities and taking charge of the environmental issues humanity has placed upon itself over the last century and doing so with the enthusiasm that can come from a viral hashtag. If you've been wallowing in "why even bother" over humanity lately, then you're going to really be uplifted by the following people and their genuine efforts to do something positive!

1. So much trash...

So much clean up! Yes!

2. A little trash goes a long way.

And thus, a little volunteer work does, too.

3. An answered call.

Thank goodness.

4. Sometimes, it takes a village.

Someone tell this village they're the bee's knees.

5. Sometimes, it only takes one.

One person can have a huge impact!

6. A positive impact.

A lot of loose trash isn't much better than pounds upon pounds of dense trash. This beach project took time and effort and it was obviously worth it!

7. Teamwork

When people come together to clean up trash, the job gets done with smiles to spare.

8. Proud of their work.

We don't mind one bit, this is truly something worthy of your pride!

9. There's no but's about it, cigarette butts are gross.

We would like to offer a virtual pat on the back to this fella, that's a LOT of nasty cigarette butts that he's cleaned up!

10. It's not always obvious.

The before picture is not as startling at first glance. Sometimes in forest areas where fallen leaves are everywhere, it can be hard to see all the trash. Yet clearly, these volunteers found a LOT of trash. All of that trash was having a devastating effect on the local ecosystem and it's a beautiful thing that it was all cleaned up.

11. This is a challenge we don't mind seeing kids participate in!

If anything, seeing children rise to the #Trashtag challenge fills us all with hope for a brighter future.

12. Beach Work

It's no surprise that beaches tend to get the trash end of the stick far too often, but gone are the days that people will tolerate it. It's clean up time!

13. A pair of pals.

Teamwork is the dream work.

14. Bricks for days

How does an area like this become so overrun with trash? We're not sure but we are proud of the efforts the volunteers put forth to clean it up.

15. Clean up the parks!

It's sad when a place that's supposed to be safe and clean for children can become so overrun with trash, but this family did something positive for their community by taking care of it.

16. Doggone good!

Someone deserves belly scratches and cuddles tonight.

17. Before and After

From yuck to "wow!"

18. Take back the beach.

Beaches can often be a hub for trash and plastic, from near and far. This small group of volunteers took back their beach!

19. Homeless Park

As if the homeless don't have enough on their plate, their survival communities can easily become overrun with trash. This kind fellow humanitarian did something for some of the most vulnerable exposed to trash by cleaning up the area.

20. From thumbs down to thumbs up.

Boo trash, yay clean up!

21. Grab some gloves

These kids cleaned up SO much trash!

22. From field of trash...

To field of grass. The way it's meant to be.

23. Creative Clean Up

There's no shame in making the project FUN!

24. Hillside difference

For such a small area, it got messy fast. We're so grateful to see it cleaned up!

25. One bag at a time.

That's a big bag of trash and this person definitely rose to the challenge!

26. Three steps

Clean up trash, plant life. Winning.

27. Pick up trash and sweep the streets!

A few good people can do a lot of good things.

28. Water Clean Up

That's clarity you can see.

29. The smallest areas can become so overrun.

God job to everyone who looks at the big and the small. Every piece of trash picked up is progress.

30. Not a dump site!

Thank goodness for volunteers like this to take all that dumped trash and put it where it belongs.

Elana