TERRE HAUTE, Ind., (WTWO/WAWV) — The Society of Trash Baggers make the city’s cleanliness their mission. The group met today near Lowes and the old K-Mart on U.S. Highway 41.
Volunteers like Terry Mullen spend a significant amount of time creating a healthier environment for Terre Haute and surrounding areas.
Mullen said he believes everyone should do their part in maintaining a clean community.
“Once you start picking up trash, you notice how much trash there is,” he said.
Mullen spends more than 10 hours a week cleaning up trash. He said it’s something he’s been doing for a majority of his life.
“I’m more or less like the lone ranger. I just pick up trash and nobody knows who I am. I don’t seek any promotion or anything. I just pick it up and silently throw it away,” Mullen said.
Mullen joined the group after his daughter’s recommendation. He said even when the work doesn’t seem to be paying off, he still continues on with the group’s mission.
“I feel like this is a sense of accomplishment. So I feel like I’m doing something I wish more people would get involved. It’s very rewarding and very frustrating at the same time,” Mullen said.
Brent Youngblood, another group volunteer, believes cleaning up trash plays a major part in creating a healthier environment.
He said the cleaner city is the more appealing it will be to those that visit Terre Haute.
“Once we clean this up and you see it cleaned up, you’ll notice a big difference. It just makes the city look better.. it’s safer for wildlife and pets. A cleaner city is more inviting,” Youngblood said.
