People Are Picking Up Trash For A New Internet Challenge

March 12, 2019

The #TrashTag challenge is the best challenge social media has ever created.

Byron Román of Phoenix, AZ, ignited the new trend by calling out bored teenagers in a Facebook post.

"Here is a new #challenge for all you bored teens," Román posted on Facebook. "Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about it, and post it."

"Due to teens lately making the news about Tide pods, Bird Box, and now the Momo challenge. Maybe I could inspire a few to do something positive," Román told CBS News.

Román's post has been shared by more than 300,000 people, and it's more than just "bored teens" taking part in the challenge.

People of all ages from all over the world are collecting trash from outdoor spaces in their area and posting before-and-after pictures on Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and Facebook.

Our contribution in Portland, Oregon. This trash would have eventually ended up in the Willamette River. from r/pics
The trend is spreading in India. Here’s a pic from Dimapur, Nagaland, India from r/pics
Over 8,000 cigarettes picked off the street to be recycled #trashtag from r/pics
As a Parks and Rec employee, THANK YOU to anyone who has ever helped clean up a park. This river used to be covered in trash and it's pristine again because of one of you. I hope #TrashTag never ends. from r/pics

Let's keep this one trending. To participate, simply take a before-and-after photo of the area you clean up and include #trashtag in your post.