New Jersey Musician Gives Back To Community With 'Trash Love,' Inspires Others

It's a simple idea: picking up garbage in your neighborhood. But one man has turned lending a helping hand in his community into a viral phenomenon watched by tens of thousands across the world.

Fans tune in every morning just to watch Steve Shimchick pick up garbage.

A few months ago, the 27-year-old musician from New Brunswick, New Jersey started livestreaming his neighborhood trash cleanups on Reddit. Within weeks, he had more than 12,000 followers.

When asked why his actions connect with people so much, Steve said, "I think there are a couple of reasons. One, there's a sense of community on the streams. And there's that sense of connectedness that I think a lot of people have been missing in the pandemic."

He calls it "Trash Love." But the trash isn't the star. It's Steve and the positivity he spreads every morning. Steve doesn't just talk to people. He listens, inviting followers to relay what's happening in their lives.

Something unexpected happened. Viewers started doing their own trash cleanup walks and not just in the U.S. Steve's small act has now gone global.

In Munich, Germany, Shifa El-Metnawi was inspired to clean up her neighborhood and she has her own audience of 2,000 viewers. She says, "It wasn't just about picking up trash, but also picking up spirits. I've made lots of friends all over the world."

Steve says, "It's not maybe the largest problem in my city, but it's something I can do slowly, get out there and feel like I'm helping in some way." Proving that one man's trash can be a neighborhood treasure.

If people are inspired by Steve, he encourages them to call their city or county parks department and ask for ways they can help clean up in their own neighborhood.