The Litterati sounds like a super secret society out to change the world. (Dan Brown fanatics, anyone?)

And it kind of is. It is a secret, though it tries hard not to be and yearns to change the world (but, just not in a evil sort of way).

Founded by Jeff Kirschner , Litterati is a website that encourages people to photograph and pick up litter. The ‘litter’ will be featured in the Digital Landfill, a collection of all the #litterati-tagged photos on Instagram sorted by location on the globe.

Join the Litterati

Although we call Earth ‘home’, we don’t have the luxury of having Mother Earth clean for us (unlike some of our own Moms… sorry!). Instead, it’s a necessity that we all contibute.

How can you participate in Litterati?

1. Find a piece of litter.
2. Photograph it & upload on Instagram. (Be our Instagram friend, too!)
3. Tag your photo with #Litterati.
4. Throwaway, recycle, or compost the litter.

By joining the Litterati, you’re collecting data, geo-tagging, and identifying litter-laden areas and identifying the biggest brands/products culprits.

Essentially, you’re helping to build the world’s largest database of litter. Ultimately, litterati helps direct governments (nation, state, or city) to the problem areas AND work with companies/organizations to find eco-friendly, sustainable solutions.

The Litterati Impact

Litterati has helped:

• 60,000+ pieces have been picked up, cataloged, and properly discarded.
• Thousands from 49 different countries.
• Litter collection, public school programs with the City of San Francisco & Alameda County.
• Increased public awareness through Upworthy, GOOD, USA Today, Fast Company, the San Francisco Chronicle, Time Magazine, and National Geographic.
• Art exhibits featuring the Litterati (“Using Technology to Clean the Planet”) hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Educational tools that provide provides students and teachers with the ability to measure their individual impact on the earth.

Check out some of the Litterati’s litter statistics.

Litter is everywhere. What are you doing to stop it? Tell us in the comments!

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Originally from Rochester, New York, Grace studies Communications at Saint Joseph’s University. Green from birth, she grew up wearing reusable cloth diapers and eating co-op vegetables. She's always been conscious of humanity’s impact on the environment. She hopes to eventually form a career as a way to advocate her ethical & sustainability principles. View all posts by Grace Rieck