Sustainable in Beijing is our semi-regular column about sustainable lifestyle events and green news in Beijing. See more of our coverage here.

The #TrashTag Challenge

Who knew your trash can go viral? In this month’s The Green Pages, my colleague Rebecca Archer talked about the #trashtag challenge, which prompts western social media users to share photos of their clean-ups just like below:

One of the Instagram photos hashtagged #trashtag shows the challenge: take a photo after you clean up a place full of rubbish. This photo is shot in Nepal according to the uploader, Kelllvvviiinnn.

This hashtag is also gaining traction on Weibo with its Chinese version #捡垃圾挑战# (jiǎn lājī tiǎozhàn, “garbage challenge”). As we speak, this Chinese #trashtag has already gotten over 11,000 conversations and 31 million reads since March.

Even before the #trashtag and its Weibo version came to form, an equally important challenge has already done the rounds on the social platform, helping Chinese netizens live a zero waste lifestyle: the #零废弃挑战# (líng fèiqì tiǎozhàn, “zero waste challenge”).

We know that some fads on social media can fade away into oblivion just as fast they became viral, but the #trashtag challenge and its Chinese sister forms are here to stay, with several communities and organizations joining the call to post before-and-after photos of cleaning up rubbish on streets.

Initiatives like this are just one of many ways we can help care for Mother Nature. But what would be even better would be if everyone produced less trash in the first place! Check out our March 2019 Sustainability issue for more ideas on how you can cut down on plastic and other rubbish.

Eco Events This Month

Every year in April, there are many events centering on environmental protection, mainly because of Earth Day (April 22, a Monday this year) and the concept of rebirth during springtime. Here are some activities to check out. You can also visit our Events page for more upcoming environmental events in town.

The Bookworm Eco Spring Fair 2019, Apr 21
The Bookworm and The Bulk House will honor Earth Day by holding a free Pop-Up Eco Market, with the goal of spreading the word about green consumption and zero waste. 35 vendors of fine art, handicrafts, fashion, organic food, and charity from the local community will join the market and show how one can produce and consume the green way.

Ages 16+. Free. Noon-6pm. The Bookworm, Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District. 北京市朝阳区三里屯南街4号 (158 1071 3743, mr_j.c.zhang@hotmail.com)

Live With Less Youth Edition, Apr 21
Live With Less is a program designed to reduce excessive waste. For Earth Day, they are holding a special youth edition co-organized by Inspire Citizens’ student leaders (aged 7 to 16). This activity involves ten vendors, such as The Green Room, Sew Gorgeous, Roundabout Boutique, Fashion by Jenny, and more. At the same time, the Wild Women on the Wall 2019 will hold a special Bake Sale, in support of good causes including Agape Family Life House and Five Loaves and Two Fish.

All ages. Free. Noon- 4pm. Scan QR on the image for more details. Crossboundaries office, 2F, 4 Gongti Beilu, Bldg 10, Electrical Research Institute Compound, Chaoyang District. (WeChat ID: Crossboundaries)

The True Cost of Fashion: Who Pays the Price of Our Clothes Documentary Screening, Apr 23
The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story of “fast fashion” and asks us to consider who really pays the price for our clothing. This screening is followed by a panel discussion with experts from Beijing’s sustainable fashion industry.

Adults. RMB 50 (presale tickets include one drink). Book a seat here. 7-9.30pm. The Bookworm, Sanlitun.  (WeChat: becstarnz)

Swap, Sweat, and Smile: LIVE WITH LESS x Heyrobics, Apr 27
A swap with a sports focus, so bring your exercise clothing and gear, or come and pick up some new stuff. 

Adults. Free (half price pizza and drinks.). 1-4pm swapping; 4-5pm Heyrobics. Xian Bar, East Hotel. WeChat: crossboundaries

Next on Sustainable in Beijing: I’ll talk about the results of the Eco-Art Challenge that I joined several weeks ago. And a big plus — more about the upcoming Plus Size Clothing Swap party.

Photos: rawpixels.com via Pexels, Instagram @kelllvvviiinnn via Buzzfeed, courtesy of event organizers