Inside My Turn: Take the community #TrashTag challenge

Trash. It’s a thing. I learned it's a community and team building thing by deciding to do something about it.

You see, I was born in the blue hospital, Kootenai. I was free ranged, finding more solace in place than I did the house. This landscape is my home. You may have multigenerational roots here or you’re a transplant; reside in the Lake City, the River City or another neighborly neighboring town — I hope the trash on your morning commute evokes a response; in your coeur, your heart. And that trash becomes a thing for you too.

A couple years ago when the hashtag #TrashTag was trending around the globe, Kenna Scott and I decided to use our marketing skills to create an event to do something about the deluge of trash that was uncovered when the snow melted. It was raining on my day by polluting my morning and commute; people were talking trash on social media who were having the same experience. In less than a week, 55+ of our community members jumped on board and joined us to pick up trash on I-90 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.

Over 100 bags were picked up. And everyone who participated loved the experience of teamwork, visible impact, endorphins from physical exercise and the good it does for your heart to do something for your neighbors. Maybe you caught wind of it on social media, one of the articles in The Press or the evening news. We accomplished our goal of raising awareness to motivate the community to take action.

This year, Kenna and I are teaming with three local organizations and the challenge is to do more. Civic Engagement Alliance, Love Lives Here and the Sustainability Podcast are supporting the I-90 cleanup by having an event this Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We are meeting at Treaty Rock in Post Falls and I will be dispatching everyone who shows up to pick up trash.

ITD safety requirements must be followed and the supplied vests are required to be on the freeway right of way. So, we have 55+ vests. I hope they are all filled and from there we move on to the rest areas and Centennial Trail. Please do not meet us on the freeway. I will be at Treaty Rock until 10:30.

My #TrashTag Challenge does not end there. I ask you to join us. The purpose of having this event is not only to clean up some of our highest-visibility landscape, but to raise awareness to start change. Our motto for this is small action, big change. This aligns with both the mission of the Civic Engagement Alliance and Love Lives Here. Whether you’re inspired as an individual or an organization, part of this effort or one of these organizations, please join this challenge.

If we all picked up one roadside or trailside bag of trash this year, we would cease to have a problem. Earth Day is next Thursday 04/22. Would you be willing to pick up a grocery sack full of trash by then?

Or, if you are so inspired, reach out to me. I am hoping that more organizations within our community try a team-building event to clean up a stretch of road, trail or park. I am happy to help organize if you choose I-90, Highway 53 or Highway 41. It’s super easy to coordinate with ITD, review with your people the safety requirements and get the paperwork complete. Visit villagerleague.org and drop me a message.

We’re starting a bit late this year, but next I am hoping to have gathered enough support that we can get this cleaned up between March and April.

I will also address what is, I am sure, on so many community members' minds: Why is there so much trash and why isn’t it getting cleaned up?

Yes, with more people, there is more waste. People — cover your loads and don’t use your truck bed or window as a trash can. One piece per person in the valley is over a million at this point and the problem only grows. Just like our population, it is possibly the fastest-growing trash problem to combat nationally.

Most transportation departments spend at least eight figures picking up trash and still do not manage to do the landscape justice by keeping it trash free. The adopt a highway organizations who have committed to going out at least once per year are also overwhelmed by the amount that is out there.

Lastly, an enormous THANK YOU to all the citizens and organizations out there organizing trash events, picking up trash on your daily or weekly walk and those doing their part in their own neighborhoods — small action, big impact when we add up our collective efforts.

•••

Hosanna Schumacher is a resident of Post Falls.