Fight Illegal Dumping Through the Trashtag Challenge

PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale is encouraging residents to participate in the fight against illegal dumping by participating in a new social media challenge called #trashtag.

To participate, residents find an area that needs cleaning due to illegal dumping, take a before photo, clean the area, and take an after photo and post it on social media with the hashtags #trashtag and #PalmdalePride.

“Like the Ice Bucket Challenge that raised $115 million for the ALS Association, #trashtag could be an amazing social media challenge that makes the world a cleaner place,” said Palmdale’s Management Analyst II Mica Schuler. “It’s a perfect activity for families, organizations, and church and social groups.”

To date, there have been more than 130,000 posts tagged and countless volunteers have cleaned up parks, roads and beaches around the world. Before beginning the #trashtag challenge, residents should do the following: 1. Obtain permission of the property owner before entering any property that is not theirs. 2. Do not remove trash from an unsafe location (e.g., within six feet of a traffic lane, on unstable ground, etc.); and 3. Wear appropriate safety wear as they participate with trash removal. “Make sure to tag City of Palmdale by using the #PalmdalePride tag and we’ll share our favorite pictures later this month,” Schuler added. “And thanks for helping make Palmdale a cleaner place to call home!” Schuler said. For more information, please call Mica Schuler at 661/267-5300. Communications Department · 38300 Sierra Highway · Palmdale, CA 93550 www.CityofPalmdale.org