On the playa, burners do an amazing job working collectively to Leave No Trace. Litter in the default world is another story – we call it MOOP: Matter Out Of Place! And when you are “MOOPing” we are cleaning it up! On April 16, 2022 we’re inviting people from around the globe to join with us in a trash challenge in hopes of making our cities cleaner and helping the environment. By signing up, we can track our impact and celebrate collectively.
Teams will be “competing” for a few categories:
- Trash weight (team captains will bring a scale)
- Best before & after pictures
- Team Spirit! (group photos, videos, costume collaboration, etc.)
Teams are currently TBD.
Q&A
- Is there a time limit? The event is scheduled from 9am-11am. You can moop longer or later, but we’d rather see teams have fun, rather than making it a chore. Moop early and often.
- What do we do? Pick a safe location, wear protection, be safe. Trash should be placed in thick plastic bags for disposal. Take plenty of pictures before, during and after. Don’t forget to share photos to social media using the hashtag #moopyourcity
- What should I bring?
- MOOP Stick (Trash grabber stick). If you don’t own one, SVS will be offering some to lend or purchase
- Garbage receptacle (trash bags, buckets) *SVS will be attempting to supply these as well
- Gloves to protect your hands
- Mask – participants are expected to follow safe protocols and wear a mask during the event
- What to wear? Wear close-toed shoes and whatever else you want. We encourage “radical self-expression” to some that means costumes, for others its a more unrestrained you.
History
In 2019, Sacramento Valley Spark was awarded a microgrant from Burners Without Borders and embarked on a broad strategy to develop city-wide trash collection challenges around the globe to make our community streets, parks and beaches cleaner. The project is designed to bring together non-profit groups, students, government leaders, and supporters to take small steps towards a sustainable future by embracing the value of ‘Leave No Trace’ to minimize our impact when outdoors.
What Is MOOP?
Coined by the Burning Man Project, and further extending the ‘Leave No Trace’ motto, MOOP is an acronym for “Matter Out of Place”, a convenient way of referring to anything that is not originally of the land on which we live and play.
Why is It Important?
Americans alone generate a whopping 250 million-plus tons of garbage every year, and an untold portion of it ends up on our streets and in our parks and waterways. This is a major factor in the alarming rise of microplastics in far corners of our planet; an estimated 80 percent of marine debris started as land-based trash.
If we are to stem a global tide of trash and save our wildlife, it needs to become socially acceptable — indeed, socially urgent — to pick up MOOP whenever and wherever you see it, no matter who dropped it.
Want to Start a Team?
Let us know by emailing amgentry@gmail.com.
‘MOOPing’ in Action
In the News
Check out coverage from Good Day Sacramento of last year’s Moop Your City event.
Don’t Forget to Share the Event!
Share your team’s efforts in this global challenge using the hashtag #MoopYourCity or invite friends to participate and spread the joy of ‘mooping’!