BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Whitney Lewis, who also goes by the "Trash Lady" has made it her mission to make Kentucky the cleanest state in America.
Throughout her journey, she has gained thousands of followers on social media who have helped her hit a huge milestone.
Lewis began picking up trash across the state in March 2023. She often goes to lakes and rivers to clean up along the shores.
“I’m attracted to trash,” Lewis told Spectrum News in June 2023. “I don’t know what it is. I guess because I started to pick it up when I was out kayaking and all that ... it’s almost like treasure. It sticks out to me now.”
About a year and a half later and with the help of her supporters, she has led an effort to collect 100,000 bags of trash.
“It’s overwhelming, the gratitude that I have for people that have helped me along on this journey, everyone that has submitted a bag, everyone that has encouraged me on social media,” Lewis said.
Now, her movement "A Cleaner Kentucky" is a nonprofit.
“Still learning the ropes,” Lewis said. “It’s a lot to do, but that’s an amazing feat. It opens a whole lot more doors for us.”
Lewis has set several goals during this journey and has smashed every single one. Now, she has her sights set on hitting one million bags of trash by the end of 2025.
To follow along on her journey, check out the "Sun KYst sticks and stones" Facebook page.