A film by Michael Burke & Marie Wicht.-October 2010, two young filmmakers visited Pick Up America while they cleared litter along the roads in Southern Ohio. The documentary shows the perseverance of four young activists who plan to perform the nation’s first contiguous coast-to-coast roadside cleanup, in an effort to make a statement about the USA’s throwaway mentality and disposable lifestyle. Along the route, the Pick Up Artists speak at schools, community centers, and provide online multimedia content to inspire a transition toward zero waste.
Find out more at www.PickUpAmerica.org. The grassroots organization survives through YOUR support, occasional grants, and conscious corporations.
From their newsletter:
Picking Up America,” an enthralling 17-minute documentary about Pick Up America is now available to you, the general public. If you’re interested in watching it, and I know you are, click here to see it in its entirety. The documentary, filmed by Notre Dame students Michael Burke and Marie Wicht over several days on the road with Pick Up America in southern Ohio in October 2010, is simply the best representation of life on the road as a Pick Up Artist.
Warning: Before you watch the video grab a hankie or a box of tissues, it’s a real tear-jerker. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll hopefully be inspired to pick up some trash.
To all the Marylanders out there, when you’re done wiping the tears, register for the Community Clean Water Summit here. Davey Rogner, Pick Up Artist extraordinaire and campaign coordinator for Pick Up America, will be giving a 25-minute presentation at the event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. His presentation, called “How you can become a Pick Up Artist,” is set for 9:35 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at the intersection of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
Davey will basically give his life story; or at least how playing in the creeks and streams behind his family’s cookie-cutter suburban house in Silver Spring as a youngin’ shaped his life as an environmental activist.
In other news, we here at Pick Up America like to practice what we preach. In that vein, we are looking to sell our beloved, gas-guzzling RV, “Rosie,” and buy a waste vegetable oil bus. We need to raise $2,000 to make this happen, so please help us “practice what we preach.” Any donation, large or small, is much appreciated, and can be made right here!
People in New York City, across New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit and S. Chicago, and, those living in Colorado, Mississippi, Montana, Kansas and Louisiana desparately need to see this film!!!!
Deaths/injuries and human injustice from debris collisions/littering/dumping are too high in these named areas.
Americans–be on the lookout for deadly unremoved litter/debris in these above places!
WOW, I came across this by accident. I am an environmental consultant who deals with petroleum remediation, asbestos, lead paint, etc….. This is truely inspirational and I am very proud of these kids! I am actively trying to get my own city to mandate recycling! I live in a townhouse and none of my neighbors recycle! I cannot believe it. To see these four kids on such a mission angers and inspires me.