Tag-team to tackle trash

It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s volunteered to do it.

You’re invited to join the fun.

The “#TrashTag” challenge to clean up litter along I-90 will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers from Post Falls have challenged Coeur d’Alene residents to see who can pick up the most litter.

In conjunction with the Idaho Transportation Department, Hosanna Schumacher and Kenna Smoot planned the challenge after the snow melted, revealing large quantities of garbage along the sides of the highway.

“It’s insane how much trash is there,” said Smoot, who will lead the Coeur d’Alene volunteers. “Obviously, it didn’t just get there itself. People are throwing trash out their windows.”

Smoot said she hopes cleaning up trash along the side of the highway makes volunteers more aware of the impact that littering has on the environment.

“A lot of animals mistake trash for food and it makes them really sick,” she said. “We hope [the event] raises awareness in general for littering.”

Though picking up trash on the side of the highway isn’t what most people plan to do on a weekend morning, Smoot said, it’s a great way to bring the community together for the common good.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how many bags of trash we can pick up — and hopefully beating the Post Falls team,” Smoot said with a laugh.

Post Falls volunteers can meet Hosanna Schumacher at Treaty Rock Park in Post Falls at 9 a.m. Coeur d’Alene volunteers can meet Kenna Smoot at the Mobil Station on Sherman Avenue at 9 a.m.

From there, the groups will travel to the designated area where they’ll collect trash. There will be signs posted to alert drivers of the trash pick-up activity.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and wear an ITD-supplied safety vest and closed-toe shoes.

“We’re hoping for a large turnout,” Smoot said. “It would be really inspiring if there are a lot of people who want to make their community better and be part of it.”