COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brian Will loves to talk trash. He’s retired and said he’s trying to spend his time wisely, putting trash in its place.

“Most of my time is spent working on sustainable initiatives,” he said.

He spends three days per week picking up trash in the Grandview Heights neighborhood.  

“I go out during my daily walk, I take my bucket, my handy litter picker-upper thing and just walk around and pick up trash along the streets,” said Will.

His inspiration is wildlife.

“The trees, the animals, the fish, nobody speaks up for them except for us and so we need more people I think like me who are focused on helping wildlife and being their voice,” said Will.

Plastic bottles, candy wrappers, straws and cigarette butts are some of the most common finds. Will said disposable masks are also littering the streets.

“They’re the number one item you’ll find on the ground in many communities,” he said. “They clog sewers, they can get into the sewer and then go into the river, and then they can kill animals.”

Some of what Will picks up is recyclable. However, most of his collection heads to the landfill.

Will said he picks up trash year-round, as long as the weather permits. He hopes to teach others to be a part of the solution, not the pollution.

“By getting out and picking up litter, you’re taking action,” he said. “You’re helping to address some of the environmental issues that are impacting our community, the beauty of our community and you’re helping wildlife in the process.”

Will also organizes community litter pick-up days with Sustainable Grandview, a neighborhood grassroots organization focused on realizing a cleaner, healthier, more resilient Grandview Heights. Sustainable Grandview provides all of the supplies, including gloves, trash bags, and trash grabbers.

The next community pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Scioto Bike Trail entrance near the parking lot to the Sonoco Gas Station at 648 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43215.

For additional information, visit Sustainable Grandview on Facebook.