Keep Your Junk In The Trunk
Donation protected
When is the last time you went hiking in the woods, running on a beach or simply walked down the street without seeing a piece of trash in sight? For me, sadly the answer would be “I can’t remember when.”
I am a self-proclaimed nature advocate and admirer who recognizes just how out of control the pollution crisis has become. After becoming a volunteer at our local Niabi Zoo, I went through a number of training sessions on our Conservation and Preservation tactics. These training classes brought to light all the damage that we are causing to our planet, our wildlife and their habitat. It was at that point when I became determined to be a part of the solution! It started out as being a goal to pick up trash along my neighborhood, local State Parks, streets and rivers every weekend. Then I made the jump to have another goal on traveling to every State in the United States to pick up trash on every visit. That goal is moving right on target; however, I’ve found myself wanting to take my efforts even further!
I’ve come to realize that I believe most people understand that there is a pollution problem, but many of us may not be aware of just how large the problem has become and that it will only continue to get worse if we don’t make more people aware. We have many recycling services available to us but it’s been estimated that roughly only 7% of what we all recycle is actually being repurposed. That goes to show that we are doing our part to recycle, but there aren’t enough repurposing/end user facilities to keep up with the amount of plastic that is being produced and used on a daily basis. I have many ideas and dreams in mind which will involve me continuing to remove trash from nature and then repurposing it to then go back into the environment as something that can be helpful to nature and/or used by our wildlife friends.
With the research and knowledge that I’ve gained, I have found that it is very costly and time consuming to repurpose plastic articles; in which, that explains why there aren’t as many repurposing manufactures as there should be to keep up with all the plastic. I am willing to dedicate my time, money and energy to reaching this new goal of mine but it will take a lot more Green($) to purchase all of the necessary equipment required to start the repurposing process. Not only do I want to repurpose plastic, but I also have dreams of having an educational center where our younger generations can come to learn about the different types of plastics, how littering effects everything around us and what they can do to help do their part. I am humbled to feel as though that I have inspired so many others to jump in and do their part and I will continue to strive towards my dream of helping the planet; along with all the living things that call Earth home.
With the largest Garbage Patch occupying a space in the Pacific Ocean that is almost double the size of Texas, we have to get more people on board if we want to protect our precious Earth! Please feel free to donate anything that you can, no matter how large or small the contribution is. Every person counts in making a difference just like every penny can go towards making that difference. One person at a time, one State at a time – I will continue on my journey to remove trash from nature and find ways to repurpose it to give used plastic a new home! Please help me in raising funds to purchase the required equipment, advertisement/apparel to spread the word, educate others on the severity and get a facility going in order to promote my “Down with Pollution; Thumbs up to being part of the Solution” movement to remind people to Keep Their Junk in The Trunk.
Even if you don’t feel open to donating, please consider forwarding this on to others or even just encourage those around you to do their part to end littering, reduce their plastic intake and continue to recycle anything and everything! Facebook: QC Pollution SolutionInstagram: Keepyourjunk_inthetrunk
I am a self-proclaimed nature advocate and admirer who recognizes just how out of control the pollution crisis has become. After becoming a volunteer at our local Niabi Zoo, I went through a number of training sessions on our Conservation and Preservation tactics. These training classes brought to light all the damage that we are causing to our planet, our wildlife and their habitat. It was at that point when I became determined to be a part of the solution! It started out as being a goal to pick up trash along my neighborhood, local State Parks, streets and rivers every weekend. Then I made the jump to have another goal on traveling to every State in the United States to pick up trash on every visit. That goal is moving right on target; however, I’ve found myself wanting to take my efforts even further!
I’ve come to realize that I believe most people understand that there is a pollution problem, but many of us may not be aware of just how large the problem has become and that it will only continue to get worse if we don’t make more people aware. We have many recycling services available to us but it’s been estimated that roughly only 7% of what we all recycle is actually being repurposed. That goes to show that we are doing our part to recycle, but there aren’t enough repurposing/end user facilities to keep up with the amount of plastic that is being produced and used on a daily basis. I have many ideas and dreams in mind which will involve me continuing to remove trash from nature and then repurposing it to then go back into the environment as something that can be helpful to nature and/or used by our wildlife friends.
With the research and knowledge that I’ve gained, I have found that it is very costly and time consuming to repurpose plastic articles; in which, that explains why there aren’t as many repurposing manufactures as there should be to keep up with all the plastic. I am willing to dedicate my time, money and energy to reaching this new goal of mine but it will take a lot more Green($) to purchase all of the necessary equipment required to start the repurposing process. Not only do I want to repurpose plastic, but I also have dreams of having an educational center where our younger generations can come to learn about the different types of plastics, how littering effects everything around us and what they can do to help do their part. I am humbled to feel as though that I have inspired so many others to jump in and do their part and I will continue to strive towards my dream of helping the planet; along with all the living things that call Earth home.
With the largest Garbage Patch occupying a space in the Pacific Ocean that is almost double the size of Texas, we have to get more people on board if we want to protect our precious Earth! Please feel free to donate anything that you can, no matter how large or small the contribution is. Every person counts in making a difference just like every penny can go towards making that difference. One person at a time, one State at a time – I will continue on my journey to remove trash from nature and find ways to repurpose it to give used plastic a new home! Please help me in raising funds to purchase the required equipment, advertisement/apparel to spread the word, educate others on the severity and get a facility going in order to promote my “Down with Pollution; Thumbs up to being part of the Solution” movement to remind people to Keep Their Junk in The Trunk.
Even if you don’t feel open to donating, please consider forwarding this on to others or even just encourage those around you to do their part to end littering, reduce their plastic intake and continue to recycle anything and everything! Facebook: QC Pollution SolutionInstagram: Keepyourjunk_inthetrunk
Organizer
Lisa Heaton
Organizer
East Moline, IL
