#LeaveNoTrash … Before Winter Sets In!

Most likely, you’ve seen headlines about massive spikes in crowds and record visitation this summer across public lands, which inevitably has created big waste problems between overflowing trash bins and human poop/toilet paper piling up. Before the colder seasonal weather and snowfall around the country sends us indoors, we need to seize the moment and tidy up our favorite spots one last time. 

That’s where we need your help. Our #LeaveNoTrash week runs October 26 until November 1. We are asking our community to go outside, pick up some trash and spread the word via social media (don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags #LeaveNoTrash). In keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, keep your cleanup groups small, wear gloves and a mask or other face covering and check first for any local guidelines or closures. 

Need a little incentive for collecting litter? Take our pledge to be entered to win some awesome prizes! 

And join us for a FREE Leave No Trace webinar! “The Rotten Truth About Trash” will take place on Tuesday, October 27 at 4pm PST. 

Speaking of cleanups, we spoke to one of our favorite partners about what they do to reduce the amount of trash their company creates. 

Klean Kanteen has been a long-time corporate partner of Leave No Trace for the past 7 years. Based in Chico, California, the company started selling reusable water bottles in 2004. It’s hard to imagine that back in the early 2000s, you couldn’t buy a stainless steel water bottle, as plastic with BPA—the additive associated with cancer—was your only option. Stainless steel is the main material in Klean Kanteen products, as it is sturdy and safe for our bodies and planet. Thirty-five percent of the material Klean uses to make their products was from recycled sources in 2019. 

Klean prides itself on not only selling products that strive to protect the Earth, but also creating a family atmosphere among its staff 65 people. The company is family- and employee-owned, and is very involved in the surrounding community.  

Klean staff are given 24 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer at nonprofits. Of course 2020 was a challenge with lots of volunteer opportunities being canceled, but a few staff participated in Coastal Clean Up Day and Facelift Act Local at their local park, while others volunteered at shelters, lunch distributions at schools or helped out neighbors with shopping and errands during quarantine.

Caroleigh Pierce, Klean’s nonprofit outreach manager, says her personal values are in sync with the company’s values, which is why she has loved working for a mission-based company that prioritizes lessening waste for the past 11 years. 

“Everything we produce and all organizations and events we support ladder up to the importance of refusing single-use items and choosing a healthier and reusable option,” Caroleigh says. “Pack wisely and bring your own. Grab your reusables just like you would your keys and your cell phone, and soon it will be second nature.”

 By the Subaru/Leave No Trace Teams. For over 20 years these teams have provided tangible solutions to serious issues facing our outside space and reach over 15 million people every year. Learn more about the important work of our mobile education teams.  Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Thule, Fjällräven and Klean Kanteen.