In a world plagued by litter, one organization is on a mission to clean up the planet, one bag of trash at a time. Clean Something for Nothing, founded by Cesar Gonzalez Fernandez, is harnessing the power of technology to mobilize individuals worldwide in the fight against littering.
Gonzalez Fernandez shared the origin of Clean Something for Nothing during an interview on Inside South Florida. "It got started [through] Instagram," he explained. "I was picking up litter on my own and then putting my cleanups on social media. Soon, our hashtag #CleanSomethingForNothing goes viral… and then my friend Lester and I decided we needed a mobile app to see how many of us are there.”
The Clean Something for Nothing app is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, unlike other data-oriented apps. Users simply grab a bag, pick up trash, take before and after photos, and post them on the app along with details such as location and bag size. The app then calculates the volume and estimates the weight of the collected trash.
But why is littering such a pervasive problem? According to Gonzalez Fernandez, it's a result of increased consumption and production coupled with unhealthy habits. Cigarette butts, in particular, pose a significant issue, with 13,000 of them littered every second globally.
So, what can individuals do to combat littering? Gonzalez Fernandez emphasizes the importance of not littering in the first place and being mindful of consumption choices. Additionally, participating in clean-up efforts, no matter how small, can make a tangible difference.
For those eager to get involved, Clean Something for Nothing is accessible through various social media platforms and their website, CleanSomethingForNothing.com.
