Bushwick Trash Club collects over 1,000 pounds of trash in the neighborhood
Every Wednesday night, you’ll find the Bushwick Trash Club walking the blocks of Bushwick, not just talking about the problem but picking it up.
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After piles of trash continue to fill the streets in some neighborhoods, residents are taking matters into their own hands.
Every Wednesday night, you’ll find the Bushwick Trash Club walking the blocks of Bushwick, not just talking about the problem but picking it up.
“The No. 1 thing is cigarette butts,” said Erin McHugh. “That’s everywhere. That’s probably the most common thing. Cigarette butts, bottle caps. The second No. 1 thing would be the grocery fliers that get put in everybody's mailboxes or in their fences.”
Armed with gloves, grabbers and trash bags, Erin McHugh, also known as the Bushwick Trash Lady on social media, started cleaning up the trash in her neighborhood almost a year ago, all on her own.
Since then, she’s gotten some help.
“Contribution and your activism can happen at any scale,” said Luma Medina. “So, whether it's really on a macro scale that you're doing something in Washington, D.C., or if you're just coming out in the community doing something. It was just really encouraging to see people inspired to come out.”
Although the city’s sanitation department is scheduled for street cleaning at least once or twice a week, neighbors say that’s never been enough. Especially since that cleaning does not include the sidewalks.
“I realized very quickly after moving here that it isn't the city's job,” said McHugh. “Or at least the city wasn't cleaning it up. It wasn't going to get done unless I did it, to be honest with you.”
So, whether it’s one person doing the cleanup or dozens of people picking up litter together, this trash club community movement has already been spreading across Brooklyn.
There are groups in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and beyond.
“In Bushwick, we've already collected over 1,000 pounds of trash this year,” said McHugh. “So if you want more information on starting trash clubs or the trash foundation and some of the work we're doing, visit the Trash Foundation board and reach out.”
