Viral challenges are inescapable if you’re on the internet. From choking on spices for the Cinnamon Challenge to pouring pounds of ice on yourself to raise awareness for ALS for the Ice Bucket Challenge, a new online challenge explodes as everyone tries to join in. Sometimes these challenges can be questionable, but the use of hashtags and social media can be a powerful tool to make a global difference.

The latest challenge that is currently making waves is the #BasuraChallenge, which also goes by alternate hashtags such as #TrashTag and #TrashTagChallenge.

On March 5th, Byron Román of Arizona took to Facebook to share two pictures of him surrounded by trash in the Before picture, and all the trash bagged up in the After picture.

“Here is a new challenge for all you bored teens,” Román wrote. “Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about it, and post it.”

The Trash Tag Challenge already existed but Román’s post sparked a reignited interest and posts swarmed social media of people accepting the challenge and cleaning up their community. From the United States, to France, and to the Philippines, the challenge has spread across the globe.

#Trashtag has 44.1k posts on Instagram, with #BasuraChallenge ranking in 6.5k posts. There are variations of the hashtag in other languages as well.

Trash piles up in our communities whether it be from simple litter to illegal dumping. We can’t always pass off responsibility onto someone else and wait for them to do it. Sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands.

Here are some people locally joining the challenge and making a difference.

7th grade STEM CTE students picked up 6 bags of trash in 20 minutes outside our school and got several compliments from passersby. A parent picking up their child even joined us! Clearing litter helps keep trash out of waterways. @GlobalCitiesOrg #trashtag #TrashtagChallenge pic.twitter.com/3XZaB850Pj

— Brainasium Philly (@Brainasium215) March 14, 2019

#TrashtagChallenge in Horsham Pennsylvania. Every bit counts.#TrashtagChallengephilly pic.twitter.com/ziozYc6IrE

— rock2016 (@rock2016) March 16, 2019

The Love Lindenwold litter crew has been out cleaning up our town by picking up trash anywhere they see it. #doyourpart #cleanyourblock #trashtag #dobeautifulthings #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/eIjJcrDw7f

— Love Lindenwold (@LoveLindenwold) March 18, 2019

We challenge our Green Philly readers to join this challenge. Even the smallest effort helps to make our planet cleaner and greener.

If you’re in the Philadelphia area and did this challenge, tag us @greenphillyblog on Twitter and Instagram to be highlighted!

Siani Colón is a Philly-based journalist, born and raised in the city, focused on community-based reporting. In her free time, she volunteers with the Tacony Creek Park. View all posts by Siani Colon