Don’t Be Trashy
When we were in Dubrovnik, Croatia – which we’ve waxed rhapsodic about multiple times here – there is one thing that really bothered us.
See, we’re not totally biased.
Our hotel was right on the shore of an inlet packed with boats and bursting with beauty. A setting right out of a postcard. No exaggeration.
Walking along that shore multiple times during our stay in Dubrovnik, we were disheartened by the amount of garbage we saw around the boats and near the shore. Plastic bottles, food scraps, paper, you name it. It was significant enough to where – close up – it spoiled the gorgeous setting.
Fast forward to our recent road trip where we nature-overloaded our way from Nevada to Colorado and back. We call our summertime outdoor adventures advo-camping because we usually like to roll in some sort of advocacy element. This year, in honor of our 5 years of NVR, we’re trying to bring it by going beyond our regular advocacy platform and working to be better citizens of our community and our country.
So, based on our experience in Croatia, our love for our National Parks and our new goal, the bolstered advocacy piece was easy to decide on. We challenged ourselves to pick up litter around all the campgrounds, rest stops and hiking trails we hit.
It was actually simple. We even brought a roll of garbage bags from home to facilitate our mission and to keep us from putting up roadblocks.
We were most disheartened by the amount of trash that was intentionally left on the ground, oftentimes not far from a trash bin. What?
Seeing all that trash – and thinking about how easy it was to pick it up – got us thinking of ways to keep our anti-trash enthusiasm alive back in Seattle. Enter hometown company, Starbucks, and their annual effort to bring community members together to clean up the areas of the city that are most trampled on by fireworks spectators.
We figured what the heck and decided to bond with other litter busters. Additionally, the initiative fit perfect with our “All American” focus this month.
After signing in and scoping out the area (and joking around a bit), we set out – in our crisp new shirts/uniforms – to uncover trash around Lake Union.
And then came the harsh reality. As had been the case during our road trip, we found clumps of trash all over the place.
We were surprised, disgusted and very glad that we decided to participate. Clearly, there is a need.
Our world is simply too beautiful and too important to abuse it by being mindless when it comes to trash.
Let’s keep our communities and countries clean. A few ideas if you’d like to get involved.
1) Once a week or once a month, commit to bringing a garbage bag on a walk or outing. Fill it!
2) Join a community initiative. We are impressed by the work Starbucks is doing to spark community involvement, and this event was a great experience for everyone we talked to. Plus, bonding with other like-minded people serves to bolster your enthusiasm, and it sends a strong message to passers-by. Check out what Starbucks – or another organization – is up to in your hood.
3) Be aware of what you use/buy because it eventually turns into trash. Do you really need another plastic water bottle? Do you really need the bag when you pick up a couple items at a retailer?
YUCK. I LOATHE it when people litter. I don’t see the point – why not just put it in a trash can, or just take it with you? Not that hard! People who litter should be thrown in a dumpster.
Luckily here in Korea, the streets are pretty devoid of trash – there’s a pick up every day, and there are literally armies of older folk who go around cleaning the neighbourhood, simply because they want to live in a nice environment. If a street is full of trash at 3am on a Saturday night, then it’s gone by 10am the next morning whilst most folks are asleep.
Anyway, that’s a great initiative guys! I love that you’re so community-minded and always coming up with and thinking of these ways to help the environment and community. Keep it up, you wonderful goodie-two-shoeses!
Yes! Let’s throw litterers in a dumpster and see how that goes. Now THAT would be an interesting blog post.
Thanks for the compliment. We write about these things because we want to walk the talk. So many people have big ideas/plans and don’t follow through. We want to show that we are living the life we talk about – and not just preaching
BTW – Great to hear that about Korea.
It’s so easy NOT to litter, it doesn’t even make sense. I think it’s so awesome you guys are getting involved with helping out.
It is easy to NOT litter. This experiment has been a huge learning for us as well. It’s made us feel badly for every time we’ve let a gum wrapper slip away. Someone has to deal with that at some point.
I love that y’all are always giving back to the community. Y’all look so cute even volunteering… makes me sick just a bit… okay not sick, but jealous…lol!!!
Ahh the trash issue… it’s something I will never understand it really is easy to not litter. Hold on to your trash until you get to a trash can. One of the things I hate though is 3rd world country and how trashy they are. I hate that you can never find a trash can when you need one and up hanging on to your trash for the whole day or having to throw it in a pie of trash you find in the street. What I hate most of all though is that the people of these countries don’t understand the concept of a trash can… they think by throwing it on the street or out of the window it solves the problem and is why the cities are so dirty. I wish there was a way to provide more trash cans in poor countries and teach them to use them.
Sorry rant over.
Thanks, Jaime! We thought…. hmmm we can rock these green shirts.
We actually wore them around downtown ALL day and had lots of people inquire about what the hell we were up to. We were eager to share details of the clean-up project for the obvious reason AND because we didn’t want them thinking we’re one of those couples that wears matching clothes
Love your thoughts. We can’t help but think someone has to take care of this every time we see trash. Even if a particular city has a great clean-up system, it makes no sense to not take care of your own garbage.
GREAT post guys! It’s amazing just how much trash can build up so quickly and yet how mind-boggling easy it is to actually pick it up and do something about it! The problem is, everyone always thinks that it’s ‘someone else’s problem’ so don’t bother with it but it’s OUR planet and we can only help it in a joint effort. Good for you!
Exactly! Everyone thinks that someone else will do the dirty work. Yes, it’s OUR planet (and the 2 of us need to be better about remembering that as well).
You guys are awesome! Litter pisses me off like nothing else so I can totally understand your need to make a difference in your own hometown. Funny, I actually have a post in the works about something similar–about the trash I picked up along the John Muir trail in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite. YOSEMITE. Just shaking my head at people…
We were the same way in the National Parks. Seeing trash in our biggest asset as a country (the National Parks) drove us insane.
I love you guys! I freaking hate litter and it kills me that people just toss garbage wherever they want. It’s a serious problem in Argentina, going on walks was so sad. Since I was always cleaning up after my dog (another rarity in Argentina) I tried to also grab trash while doing that. I would love to do a litter cleanup group if I ever hear of one happening near me.
Argentina was REALLY bad during our visits. Don’t even go down the road of all the dog crap there.
I love this. Coco (where I lived in Costa Rica) went through a massive cleanup that was so wonderful to see. So great of you to spread this message!!
We can’t wait to get back down to Costa Rica. Maybe we’ll do a beach clean up day.
I just got back from seeing some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (ko phi phi) and there was trash floating in the water! What kind of a person do you have to be to litter there?!?! It breaks my heart.
Litter + a beach is about the saddest thing there is.
Good for you guys — and great ways to get involved and make a difference! It’s sad how much trash pollutes such beautiful places.
Thanks, Ellen.
You have to be so proud to take part in a green event like this! I use to help in these events with my family, my little son enjoys it alway, he thinks that trash could be treasury as well:)
Strangely thought the same thing yesterday when I was at the beach here in northern France. Secluded, empty, beautiful beach with charming plastic bottles and bags and garbage delicately strewn about the sands.
David – You’re always so poetic. Thank you
Now… go clean that stuff up.
As someone who grew up with all the anti-litter campaigns in California in the 1970′s it makes me insane when I see people littering. We have signs on the highways here stating huge fines and yet people still throw things from their cars. Good for you for getting involved!
Throwing things from cars??? How 1970 is that?
This seems to be an issue in many countries around the world. A great way to give back to the places you visit is to take part in city cleanups. If the city doesn’t have one already organize, start one!
Take it from us…. many countries you visit won’t have any kind of organized clean up. I think our experience has inspired us to – while traveling – dedicate at least a days worth of walking around to trash pick up (while enjoying the sights).
That’s really great for you to do. Such a great way to give back to the places your visit.
I’ve done a lot of beach clean-ups in the countries I’ve visited. It’s so sad and nasty to see a beautiful place look trashy just because people are lazy and throw garbage everywhere. Good for you for getting involved!
Thanks for commenting, Kristen.
You guys just inspired me and Jess to do a massive clean-up here in Mexico. We are housesitting in a beach house on a gorgeous remote Caribbean beach but as soon as you walk down the beach further away from the house there is trash everywhere – in an area where nobody lives! The homeowner told us that trash washes ashore here from all over the Caribbean and we’ve already found plastic bottles from Jamaica and the Bahamas! We’ll take a couple of garbage bags on our next walk along the beach and do a big clean-up.
So happy to hear this, Dani! Take pictures, post them, keep the inspiration flowing…
So many places we find the exact same thing and it is disheartening. When we were in Bolivia I had a chat with a guy and after he threw his trash on the road while we were walking (yes next to a trash can) he explained that he was giving someone a job and doing his part. I was stunned for words…
You guys definitely have the right idea and great tips. We all can do our part. I always seem to do this by myself (hiking, campgrounds etc), but next time I see a collective group I’ll join in.
We heard that same rationalization in Barcelona recently. If that isn’t the strangest thinking. Reminds me – in a VERY unrelated way – of when people say that minimum wage should remain very low so that people are hungry for better jobs. What?
Anyhow… glad to hear that you (and I’m sure D too) get involved.
As cliche as it is, the “Don’t Mess with Texas” mentality really works here. After roadtripping most of the States I can see the difference and I do the same thing (pick up trash) when I can. It boggles my mind that people can’t make it to a trash can.
P.S. Nearly died in Latin America with the mounds of trash on the side of the road. That is just a health issue.
OK… we won’t be messing with Texas anytime soon
The bad news? Neither of look like you have any kind of future in sword fencing. Seriously.
Is litter an age thing? Because I can honestly say I was very apathetic about it when I was younger but I HAAAAATE it nowadays.
Hmmm, I don’t think it’s an age thing. We’re VERY young and care deeply about the trash that is every where
Oh, and I guess this means our plans for a “We want to be professional fencers” post are off. Womp womp.
I just don’t understand how people can litter. I mean, I get it, but…. how can someone just throw a bottle out of their car window without even thinking about it? What the hell is wrong with people?
Kali’s family has this sort-of-tradition that on Thanksgiving they’ll take a walk after dinner and pick up trash along the road.
I now think that traditions like that are a great idea. As you can see from our tips, we, too, are trying to solidify some way of regularly picking up litter.
Now there’s a productive way to spend a day. You guys keep inspiring with all the different ways you give back.
Thanks, Scott. How about if you go pick up all that popcorn on the street in Chicago.
That’s awesome that you guys are doing this! I’m constantly picking up trash on the beach and nature places we visit. I don’t always bring a bag, but it’s something I’m going to try to remember to pack from now on.
We just put bags by our door so are hoping to remember to bring one when we head out for a walk.
Wow, you two are the full package. Nice guys, good Samaritans. What else do you have up those sleeves?
Aw… thanks, Meg.
What a wonderful service you guys are doing and just totally loved this post. Everyone should be made aware that we must not leave trash when we travel. We must only leave behind our footprints and take memories from where we visit…
Wish you a wonderful weekend Guys:)
Thanks for stopping by, Arti.
Wow! Dubrovnik is such a beautiful place! I have been there several times with my parents when I was I child. (I was born in Hungary, next to the border of Croatia) I bet you have had a great time there!
Yep, we loved Dubrovnik and thought it was so beautiful that we were inspired (by the trash!) to do our part to make sure our own hometown stays gorgeous for residents and visitors.
Yay, what a great thing you are doing! Living in Myrtle Beach, I am so familiar with this problem. My entire family, every time we go for a walk on the beach, we take a trash bag to pick up any trash along the way. It was especially great when the kids were little – we could stroll along how we wanted, while the kids buzzed around collecting trash kind of making a competition out of it. Besides the obvious problems, plastic bags and other packaging materials are often mistaken for jellyfish the main food source of sea turtles. Once you teach kids this, I think they’re converted.
Love the idea of getting kids involved at a young age. That way, they don’t know anything other than to think that litter is 100% non-negotiable. We were young kids in the 70s when people threw garbage out their car windows. What a nightmare to think back on.
Love that you guys just started picking up the garbage you saw in Croatia, hopefully other people saw you and became inspired to do the same. I’m a big advocate of reducing waste. I rarely use plastic bags, and always keep a few recyclable bags in my purse. Simple little actions really do add up when they’re done by millions of people on our planet.
It is really sad how people can trash such beautiful cities! I feel the same way about Morocco–the countryside, in particular, is just a wasteland (of literal garbage).
You guys are funny AND you care about the environment?! Seriously, I’m in love.
It is amazing how much trash people just throw around, not thinking about who or what is going to pick it up. After seeing so many animals eat and then die from plastic- I’m the first to pick up any plastic or trash I see laying around. I hate it!
I knew you were on our side
i just went to check out the La Jolla Tennis & Beach Club a couple of weeks ago. I was laughing at the brilliant Kid’s Camp leaders ingenuity at harnessing the enthusiasm of children. they made it a game to bring back the most trash they could collect on the beach!! loved it.
Fantastic idea!