Join The Litter Challenge
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
The Litter Challenge was started in 2017. Initially, it was a way for two siblings to keep busy during the long summer months before school started. Born into an environmentally friendly family, Nainika and Savir Gupta knew that they were destined to create something that would impact the environment. But as the idea of creating a challenge to clean up their space grew into something more, they realized that they had something major on their hands - a chance at really making a difference in the world they were to inherit.
And even though they started small (in their neighborhood), they saw tremendous potential in their idea - the potential to go places.
The root of the challenge was, quite literally, covered with litter. Nainika and Savir constantly passed by their neighborhood streets that were covered in litter. They went on walks and bike rides in community parks where trash cans overflowed with trash. They saw pictures of the ocean filled with plastic and flew over the Great Pacific Garbage patch on their way to their home country, India, for summer vacations.
The duo knew that this was not acceptable and that they had the power to solve this problem. Nainika and Savir wanted to create something that would solve the problem of litter - one piece at a time - starting with their neighborhood streets.
As they ideated on a way to design the challenge, they realized that the one thing everyone needed more of was time. So they created a challenge that worked around people’s busy schedules yet continued to help them pay attention to the growing litter crisis.
How the Litter Challenge works
TLC is made up of two different challenges.
The main challenge is called the ‘20-20-20’ challenge. When people sign up for the 20-20-20 challenge, they commit to getting outdoors for twenty days, for at least twenty minutes, and picking up at least twenty pieces of litter. The twenty pieces of litter per day aspect set the bar high to accentuate the litter crisis. By spending at least twenty minutes outside a day, you have ample time for a walk where you could pick up litter.
Those of us who cannot commit to spending twenty days or twenty minutes outside every day can sign up for the mini ‘5-5-5’ challenge. This mini-challenge is similar in structure to the main challenge but for a time frame of at least five minutes, five days, and picking up five pieces of litter.
When you sign up for either challenge on the TLC website, you receive daily emails for each day of the challenge. The emails are designed to give you information on the global litter crisis, tips for living a more sustainable lifestyle, and daily motivation to help you keep on track with the challenge.
At the end of either challenge, you receive an e-gift card for completing the challenge.
Beyond the Litter Challenge
Nainika was able to integrate the TLC program into her high-school environmental society. Along with the website and social media platforms, Nainika also manages The Litter Challenge Blog, where she writes about the world’s different environmental issues. Even though litter control is a big issue globally, she recognizes that there are still so many other issues, such as e-waste, plastic waste, pesticides, and climate change/global warming, that affect the environment.
Savir was able to talk about the challenge to his friends and help some of them turn away from disposable plastics by almost fifty percent. He also helps Nainika with the blog and is currently setting up TLC’s Youtube channel.
Getting involved with TLC
Even if you don’t sign up for the challenge, there are still so many ways that you can make a difference regarding the current litter crisis right now. There are many opportunities like National CleanUp Day that are tailored towards environmental clean-ups. The important thing to recognize is that even small efforts can make a huge impact.
Two kids started with simple goalkeeping their neighborhood greener - and realized that even the smallest impacts can make a big difference in the world.
So think about it. What are you doing to create a better world for the next generation?
Look at your impact. How can you make a difference?
The Earth has an expiration date, and it’s sooner than most realize. Two kids already have created an impact on their neighborhood.
Imagine what you could do.
Connect with Nainika and Savir
Instagram: @thelitterchallenge
Facebook: @thelitterchallenge
Pinterest: @thelitterchallenge
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