Article
Why I Dragged 10 kgs of Trash over 5 kms Today (and Would Do It Again!)
As Sch(m)utzengel (“dirt and guardian angel”), I go litter-picking to take care of our environment
Today was one of those crisp autumn days that I couldn’t resist but enjoy outside, with the leaves blazing in fiery reds and golds, the sunlight gentle but warm. I went on my weekly litter-picking outing with a friend as a initiator and member of the Sch(m)utzengel, a group of locals dedicated to keeping our town clean. It’s a quirky name — a mix of “Schutzengel” (guardian angels) and “Schmutz” (dirt) — that reflects our mission very well: we’re here to protect the environment and our city from the litter that harms it.
Armed with gloves, grabbers, and sturdy bags, we set off from home,. We aimed to cover around 8 kilometers, heading out along a route we often took. At first, it seemed like it would work out; there was hardly any trash to pick up, and we walked briskly, chatting and enjoying the morning.
But as we got to the farthest stretch of our route, we stumbled on a spot that hadn’t been touched in a long time. It was like finding a time capsule of litter — a bush layered with bottles, wrappers, and things I could tell had been left for years, half-buried in the soil. We started to pull out as much as we could, but it seemed endless. Some things had clearly been blown in over time, but there were other finds too including an old car tire.
With each piece we picked up, our bags grew heavier, weighing down our arms. “Maybe it’s time to turn back,” I suggested, looking at our now overfilled bags. But it was hard to leave anything behind, so we decided to keep picking things up on the way back.
The result of our litter-picking activity today
As we slowly made our way home, we had great conversations with people passing by. Some stopped to thank us, others also shared their thoughts on keeping our town clean. It was encouraging, to see people notice what we were doing. It felt like our small act of service was bringing us closer to others and to our town itself. We had a great time, laughing and chatting about everything from our week to plans for future projects. These little connections between me and my friend and other people — some we’d never met before — are always one of the highlights of litter-picking days.
As we chatted, though, I kept glancing down at the litter we were collecting. We picked up cigarette butts, which I knew could take two years to break down, bits of chewing gum (which lasts around five years), and aluminum cans, with a disturbing life span of a hundred years. Then, there were plastic bags that could last a thousand years and glass that would be around for millennia if left in the ground. And we found more big items: a blanket and even a nitrous oxide container. Each piece reminded me how much of an impact each one of us has on the planet, and how these little bits of trash would be around long after we were gone — if no one intervened. And counting the years together, we probably saved close to a million years!
Time it takes for litter to degrade in nature (credit: Maria Pilar on Shutterstock)
By the time we made it back, our trolleys were so heavy we had to stop every few minutes to relax our muscles. We were also hungry and tired, but a great kind of tiredness: the satisfaction of knowing we’d made a tangible positive difference made it all worthwhile.
And what is great too: I’ve recently read in scientific publications that being part of green initiatives like ours has health benefits beyond the obvious. It’s true; being outside, moving, and working toward a goal gives us a sense of achievement, joy, and a kind of calm you don’t get from just watching TV or scrolling online. Studies have shown that activities like this improve both mental and physical health. That is probably why I like to go litter-picking every week. Every piece of trash I pick up feels like I make space in my mind too, making room for that sense of connection and purpose that often gets buried in day-to-day life.
It’s strange to think of ourselves as anything more than litter collectors, but each time I look back at the now cleaner path behind us, I realize that the Sch(m)utzengel are leaving a mark. We are inspiring others, especially kids who see us, that it’s important to care for the world around us. And it doesn’t take a big organization or lots of money — just a bit of time, some grabbers, and a lot of determination.
As we headed home, it struck me that what we do is more than just a cleanup. It is a way of showing our love for our environment, for our city, and for each other. It is a reminder that even small actions, when done with a big heart, can create real change.
And so, today, while writing this, I feel a little more connected to this beautiful town, to the people in it, to nature, and to the idea that we all have a role in protecting what we love. The Sch(m)utzengel might be a small group, but I like to think that with every piece of litter we pick up, we’re making our city — and the world — just a little brighter.
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3 w
I was much encouraged to read your piece, Erlijn. It's not unusual to hear of people "picking up litter" but very rare to hear of people "keeping a place clean". Whereas the activity is identical, the intent, strategy and outcome are very different. There's more on our similar approach here: https://eden.enterprises/no-more-litter
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3 w
Fantastic, and a great activity to do with friends, I remember the great times we had doing it yearly in my university, it does inspires both people picking up and citizens to join! Congratulations and thanks for doing it!
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3 w
This is such a lovely story, Erlijn! You make cleaning up litter sound like a great way to spend the day. :) I really admire your dedication!
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3 w
@weston_wilson_379 Haha yes, it is a Great way to spend the day. I’ll be litterpicking with neighbors later today again and look forward to it!
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3 w
@erlijng You always inspire.