Trash Party has been popping up in the Columbus subreddit for about a year. They post these fantastic photos showing the areas they cleaned up and the insane amount of trash they removed. Every time I saw a post, I thought I should sign up, but I never did. Until one week I was feeling pretty anxious about everything going on in the world. While doomscrolling on Reddit, I saw a Columbus Trash Party post and finally went for it.
A few days before the event, we received an email showing where to meet on a map, the area we would be cleaning up and a clearly designated parking area. If you can’t tell yet I love knowing the parking situation.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we rolled up to the designated project site a little before 9 AM. Right away, it was obvious this crew was well organized, they made it so easy to show up and help. They had trash grabbers, high-visibility vests, gloves, and water all laid out and ready for volunteers to grab when they arrived. A little after nine the group gathers together for a quick overview of what to expect from the site, the shade situation, and anything noteworthy before heading out to clean the area.
We have gone to three events so far and I cannot say enough good things about the people in charge of this group and the volunteers. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and kind. During our first time volunteering one pile of trash had a bunch of random DVDs in it, and finding Reign of Fire led to a fun conversation about whether liking a movie automatically makes it good. Hot take just because you like a movie doesn’t mean it’s good.
The most surprising part of the experience was seeing how quickly a group of motivated people can completely transform a space. Areas that looked neglected start looking noticeably cleaner within a short amount of time. There’s something deeply rewarding about physically seeing the difference you made by the end of the morning. You leave tired, maybe a little dirty, but feeling like you genuinely contributed something positive to the city.
What to Know Before You Go
Wear appropriate clothes. If you have them, wear work boots or hiking boots. I would suggest wearing long pants and a shirt you don’t mind getting dirty. It’s gross out in these streets.
They move around the cities so keep an eye on the location.
Most importantly, stay hydrated!
Final Thoughts
If you have been searching for a way to give back to your community, you should absolutely consider coming out to one of the Trash Party events. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet great people and help clean up spaces with people who genuinely care.
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