The city of Chicago has a trash problem. It’s not isolated in certain neighborhoods, or just the kids dropping chip bags on school grounds, it’s everywhere. In our front yards, sometimes hanging on our front gates, outside of restaurants and shops, in our gutters and in our parks. As residents of this city, we have to ask ourselves: Is this the culture we want to pass on to future generations?

For one resident, the answer is most definitely “no” and she’s out there doing something about it. Casey Guerra of Hermosa has made it her mission to not only clean the street she lives on, but to encourage others to as well. Her first Hermosa Cleanup was a success at Kelvyn Park, and she’s organizing future community cleanups to rid the Hermosa streets of trash.

“It’s really important to not only take pride in where you live, but to set an example that we put trash where it belongs; in the garbage cans.” She goes on to describe the beer bottles, fast food packaging and water bottles that litter the yards, streets and parks. “How do people think this is the norm, to throw broken bottles on the ground for our kids and dogs to cut themselves on? Let alone a needle or other sharp objects?”

The fast food wrappers are another pet peeve after she finished doing a health survey of the community. “ A study found almost 30% of kids in Hermosa have an obesity problem. Sure, it’s okay to endulge occasionally, but I’ve seen some of these kids eating fast food several times a week. And then we see this trash pile up in our parks and streets.” She goes on to say that in the Kelvyn Park area, McDonalds wrappers is the worst. “I think it’s important for these companies to know that their customers are some of the worst offenders,” referring to the McDonald’s at 4601 W Diversey.

On a positive note, she has made progress with some businesses who have warehouses by calling them up and asking them to clean up their space. “I was very happy to see that Studio 41 and Cricket Wireless responded and cleanup up the trash on their property. Some of us live right across the street and have to stare at these messes,” referring to warehouses in the Pulaski Corridor. “I hope they clean up regularly and continue to be better neighbors.”

For individual litter bugs, she encouraged that there’s always a chance to change, “Whatever you threw on the ground last week, it’s probably still there. You have a chance to go pick it up and throw it in the nearest trash can. Every business has garbage cans, there are city bins and on residential blocks every alley is lined with them. It’s not too late.”

With neighbor Lee Helmer, they are hoping to add to the #trashchallenge momentum. “I have so many bread bags but they can’t be recycled in Chicago’s blue bin program. So when I walk to Ken-Well or Kelvyn Park, I bring one and fill it up on the way.” Ms. Helmer is hoping neighbors will make the small effort since a bread bag or a newspapaer bag can only hold so much trash. “You don’t even get your hands dirty, just turn the bag inside out and pick up a few items, then drop it in an alley bin and be on your way. I hope more people try the #breadbagchallenge.”

Ms. Guerra is hoping that while some cleanup in the Windy City is always needed, she’s hoping that trash awareness changes behaviors in the long term. “That’s what motivates me. If enough people participate in the community cleanups, or even in the #trashchallenge or bread bag challenge on their own, they can pass this on to the younger ones who practice cleaning up as a good habit.”

To participate or be alerted of future cleanups, please fill out our form: https://hermosachi.com/cleanup