Trash Dash: A Little Cleanup Goes a Long Way

Sometimes you have to follow the trash.

As part of Valley Climate Action Week, Sustainable Stillwater MN hosted a Trash Dash on September 15, bringing volunteers together for a quick, hands-on cleanup near Autumn Hills Park and the surrounding Oak Park Heights area.

The good news? Autumn Hills Park was already looking pretty great! Rather than picking up trash that wasn’t there, the group looked nearby and found plenty of litter around parking lots, ditches, and other areas near local businesses. Since the area is also frequented by waterfowl, the volunteers knew their hour of work could make a real difference.

Six volunteers spent time collecting litter and left the area noticeably cleaner than they found it. Along the way, they received some nice compliments from people passing by — always a good reminder that small actions can make a visible difference.

Trash Dash is one of those simple sustainability activities where the results are immediate: pick up trash, fill a bag, and leave a place better than you found it. The event also highlighted an opportunity for SSMN to build relationships with local businesses by helping clean up areas where there is a clear need.

And maybe the biggest takeaway? If you see a place that needs a little love, grab a bag and get to work.

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