Announcing the Eclectic Writer Early Earth Day Reader Challenge

Thanks to those who have taken time to post comments about my previous "early Earth Day post."  Trash, it seems, is an issue that crops up all over the world!

With just 26 days to go until the real Earth Day -- when, suddenly, everyone will become eco-minded for a weekend and scurry to score brownie points and call themselves "guardians of the planet" --

The Eclectic Writer announces its first reader challenge! 

If you just can't wait to find out what this is all about, scroll down to the bottom of this post.  But if you want the dramatic tension, read on and you'll eventually reach the details!

This challenge is the result of another trek to the bus stop and a sighting of fresh, new trash to pick up. This time the grand prizes were one empty bag of Doritos chips and one empty bag of Rollo Gold pretzels. The Doritos bag somehow made it smack into the middle of a prickly thorn bush. The good news was that the thorns were pinning it place, keeping the wind from picking it up and blowing it about the woods. The bad news was that I had to reach into the thorns to retrieve the bag, so I now sport very attractive scratches on my hands.

I was pretty p.o.'d to say the least. I thought to myself, what positive thing can I do to channel this negative energy I'm feeling into something that can help bring about change?

First, I held an impromptu lecture about the evils of pollution with the kids at the bus stop. Venting itself made me feel better. I just hope my neighbors forgive me when their children come home spouting "green" rhetoric at dinner. 

Next, I thought about putting a trash can at the corner. Call me a pessimist, but I know what will happen: a) the trash can will get stolen, b) the trash can will get covered with graffiti, creating an eyesore, or c) my request will be ignored and worse things will befall that "crazy nature lady."

No, I decided to use the power of the pen and visibility of the blog to make my point.:

• Write an op ed piece for our local newspapers about our trashy neighbors.
• Come up with some clever ideas I can do with my children's classes that tie writing to Earth Day.
• Launch the first ever Eclectic Writer Reader Challenge to collect as many ideas about how we can combat the problem of trash.

In the end, I can only hope to make a small difference. But together, with our collective thinking, maybe we can come up with enough ideas that everyone who reads this blog will take away one thing they can do differently all year long that will help clean up the planet.

So here it is...

The Eclectic Writer Early Earth Day Blog Reader Challenge

Let's have some fun and try to make a difference.  My challenge to you, my blog readers:

What can we do throughout the year to change people's behavior so we can keep trash off the streets, out of the woods, and in the garbage cans? 

Share your ideas in the comments section or email me at AnneWitkavitch@comcast.net . If you are willing, please also include some general information about yourself (but only information you would feel comfortable posting on a blog, like your first name or initials, state or country, what you do, and your personal commitment to planet earth!) Feel free to also send along a digital photo of trash that reinforces why we need to do something now! I'll collect and post the responses in a dedicated blog entry to celebrate the real Earth Day on April 22nd. 

Let's have some fun and make a difference!

Comments

[Colleen Wright]

I like your idea of putting trash cans out at neighborhood bus stops and other places where groups of people congregate. Of course, the trash collection companies would need to cooperate with that, but I don't think it would be too difficult to add a few more stops to their route. Innsbruck, Austria, had NO problem with garbage on their streets or in the woods. I think part of that was because they stressed recycling so much. (you were fined if you didn't put your trash in the right container) But also, they had wastebaskets set up at every bus stop, on corners and also attached to the poles of streetsigns.

I said it before, but I'm going to say it again because I REALLY like this idea: use your own shopping basket or canvas bags when shopping, instead of taking the plastic or paper bags from stores. Think of how much that would save!