ABOUT

Concept:
TAP TrashTalk was originally created as a tangible entry point for raising awareness about the deeper failure of today’s civilization model. Its purpose is to make the consequences of systemic neglect visible—one piece of waste at a time—while offering a grounded, real-world path toward action.
Launched in spring 2021 by NHPC, the initiative focuses on removing human-made litter from natural and public spaces—meticulously documenting every step. From beaches and shorelines to roadsides, parks, and parking lots, every cleanup is counted, photographed, and tracked. As of now, over 183,000 individual pieces of litter have been removed.

Approach:
Every cleanup trip is hyper-granular: a total piece count is logged, and the full collection is photographed in a single image. Items are separated into three distinct categories: trash, recycling, and returnables, with volume measured rather than weight to better reflect spatial impact. Routes and distances are tracked and mapped, with repeated visits to the same areas used to compare relittering patterns versus long-term accumulation.
We operate when weather permits (avoiding rain and extreme cold) and document all efforts in a public spreadsheet, with photos stored and accessible via Amazon Photos. The initiative uses branded 5-gallon buckets made from recycled containers to support visibility and consistency.

Execution:
TAP TrashTalk is based in Maine, USA, and is conducted year-round across local beaches, public parks, road shoulders, and event zones. The work is mostly solo and self-funded. Cleanups are strategically repeated to gather insight into littering trends over time.
To support the effort, three custom collection vehicles have been built:
A large (3m long) rickshaw-style cart with a built-in latrine.
A smaller bicycle pull-cart for 4–6 buckets.
A modified mountain bike with a single-bucket rear rack.
These are complemented by a dedicated electric vehicle and trailer, which transports gear and enhances logistical range.
A major outreach goal has been to engage students in building their own carts and joining the movement, though liability concerns have posed barriers. However, a successful collaborative cleanup event with a private school shows promise for future engagement.

Results:
There is immense opportunity to greatly improve the waste crisis facing today’s world—but it begins with awareness, and awareness begins with demonstrated solutions. TAP TrashTalk proves that consistent, documented action can reveal both the scale of the problem and the possibility of progress.
NHPC has also architected a companion TAP TrashTalk (TTT) mobile app designed to scale the initiative globally. The app will streamline data collection, route tracking, and categorization while also opening the door for virtual participation. This includes individuals who want to help but are physically unable to join cleanups in the field—offering them meaningful ways to contribute through data tagging, analysis, and awareness-building.
To date, TAP TrashTalk has:
Removed 183,000+ individual pieces of litter.
Covered over 600 km of roads and 500 km of shoreline.
Collected over 50 cubic yards of trash, nearly 4 cubic yards of recycling, and over 7 cubic yards of returnables.
Logged over 770 hours of direct cleanup labor.
The initiative has earned strong local visibility and credibility, receiving invitations to support cleanups and featured roles in community events like the Fourth of July parade.

With repeated routes and granular tracking, TAP TrashTalk is now producing early data that reveals behavioral patterns and problem zones—turning manual cleanup into an evidence-based, community-driven environmental feedback system. More than numbers, it’s a living archive of persistence and a model of what it means to act with purpose, even when no one’s watching.