Along the Potomac River south of Washington, DC #trashtag pic.twitter.com/n2uPL52LZG
— Robbie McNeil (@RMcNeil2105) March 10, 2019
It's hard to imagine social media without viral challenges. Through instant shares and interconnected networks, platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit have popularized the trend, which invites users to tackle different prompts. While many challenges are just for fun, some end up making a difference. The #IceBucketChallenge raised money for ALS research; the #InsideOutChallenge promoted mental health awareness; and, now, the #Trashtag challenge is motivating people to clean up public spaces.
This clever hashtag has gained traction in the last few days, popping up in posts across platforms. Most of the posts marked #Trashtag feature photos of public spaces before and after being cleaned, from rural riverbanks to city sidewalks. Some show people in the process of participating in the challenge, and others proudly present rows of full garbage bags.
While the #Trashtag challenge is more popular than ever, it has in fact been around for years. In 2015, UCO—an outdoor lighting company—launched the #TrashTag Project, a campaign that pushed people to pick up litter in their day-to-day lives. Since then, the hashtag has seen a slow-but-steady growth.
So, how does UCO feel about #Trashtag's sudden surge in popularity? “We are stoked to see this initiative gaining some recent momentum,” the company shared on Instagram, “and hopefully others are inspired to do their part in keeping the great outdoors as it should be . . . CLEAN!”
See some of the best before-and-after photos from the #Trashtag challenge.
#trashtag is awesome, never thought I’d support one in a non sarcastic fashion. I sure hope this challenge sticks around. pic.twitter.com/3t2dIqZvsE
— momento (@EddieOhGonzales) March 10, 2019
Took me a few days, but finally finished!! #trashtag via /r/pics https://t.co/xMvOcX55yA pic.twitter.com/iDWGaG57VG
— Bomb Voyage (@v0y4ge) March 11, 2019
Decided to pick up trash for my birthday and filled up 4 bags #20 #trashtag pic.twitter.com/EHl12o6aT5
— City Dave (@daavidcabrera_) March 10, 2019
Before and after. Makeup and clothes dumped near Moston Brook, now cleaned up 😀#litterpick #TrashTag pic.twitter.com/9GsFIUORaI
— Moston Litter Picker (@AJDelusion) March 11, 2019
Hey @camerondallas the community in my home town in Mexico got together and cleaned up garbage #TrashChallenge #TrashChallenge #trashtag pic.twitter.com/hk9kNTVmSZ
— GermanG (@ger__mann) March 11, 2019
Here's from Nagaland, India. Students from #tetsocollege with the #trashtag movement!#ChallengeAccepted #TrashChallenge #trashtag challenge pic.twitter.com/ZFxC1g6ctN
— Shon Kapai (@KapaiShon) March 11, 2019
I don't have a before-and-after picture, but here's a couple of pictures of me with my family picking up trash from the road side whenever we made a rest stop. #trashtag pic.twitter.com/TygYf2dM13
— Adhiti (@frizhbee) March 10, 2019
Usually I’m against doing good deeds just to post it online but in the case of #trashtag i am 100% for it, if that’s what it takes.
Good people are good. pic.twitter.com/VGqkDEhFuE— Megan (@bacon_N_megs) March 10, 2019
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#trashtag there's an organisation I volunteer at and we basically do cleanups like this in the city. Places that have been forgotten by the local government and make them accessible for the public. Peace. from r/pics
h/t: [Buzzfeed News]
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