Are you tired of seeing fast food wrappers and tossed masks littered along the road when you walk in the morning? Do you have kids that are passionate about environmental activism? Do wish you had better ways to organically connect with your teens?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I recommend you organize a family trash cleanup day! A trash clean-up is as simple as getting the necessary supplies and picking a date and time.
Supplies:
- Rubber gloves
- Masks
- Garbage bags
- Bright clothing
- Trash picker (optional, ~$8 on Amazon)
Safety Tips:
- If you are bringing younger children, pick a route that has less traffic.
- Always wear bright colored clothing.
- Wear long sleeves and pants (wash them when you get home).
- Wear closed toed shoes.
- Wear a mask and rubber gloves to protect against COVID-19 (make sure that your family does not touch their face or other surfaces until they’re hands have been cleaned with soap and water).
- If you find a syringe or other sharp, do not touch it, call the Health Department or Police to have it disposed of properly.
Tips for More Fun:
- Make it a competition—which kid can collect the most bags of trash?
- Pick a road in your community that your family has not explored yet.
- Put together a bingo board of common trash items (soda cup, rubber glove etc.).
Trash clean ups can also facilitate discussions on environmentalism with your teen. Use this opportunity to engage your child in conversation about other issues they may be passionate about—whether they be individual level (i.e. friendships) or global (i.e poverty).
After the clean-up is over, express your pride in them for caring about their community and the earth. Maybe even share a pic to brag a bit on social media!
