Bags n' Blocks

Bags n' Blocks replaces infrequent group cleanups with neighbors coordinating together to routinely maintain their own neighborhoods. Neighbors become Block Baggers by adopting individual Reddup Routes and creating regular routines of litter pickup at least twice a week. Often the response to litter, and neighborhood disrepair more generally, depends on reputation, personal perception and framing of the issues. Unfortunately, anti-litter campaigns can often become targeted attacks on people of color and the poor. Instead, Bags n' Blocks works to identify and help address neighborhood issues stemming from generational poverty, structural racism and influxes of new residents with different relative affluence, culture and shared experiences. Socially harmful ideas will not go away as long as people believe they are true.

Creating individual litter pickup routines gives neighbors the opportunity to meet people where they are, form empathetic bonds towards everyone sharing our neighborhoods, and develop a deepened sense of community. Meanwhile, we all benefit from cleaner, healthier neighborhoods!

I will purchase litter pickup supplies to distribute to neighbors that adopt Reddup Routes to routinely maintain their own neighborhoods.  I will also employ local youth to clear overgrowth from vacant lots so that litter can be more easily removed.  

Bags n' Blocks provides efficient littler pickup tools to other neighbors creating Reddup Routes. This is a vehicle for neighbors to get to know each other by being out on our blocks.