Seattle

Litter in the Landscape

Seattle’s iconic trails stretching from city parks to the Cascades are facing a quiet crisis. Visitor numbers have surged, but waste management hasn’t kept pace. Plastic bottles, snack wrappers, and discarded gear accumulate along paths that once felt untouched. This litter harms wildlife, pollutes streams, and spoils the experience for hikers who come seeking nature’s calm. Trailhead Trash & Trek was born from Novelect’s commitment to restore these spaces, tackling trail pollution through coordinated cleanups, recycling education, and community-led conservation.

Our Approach

Novelect’s Trailhead Trash & Trek brings together hikers, students, and community partners to care for Seattle’s outdoor spaces. Each event starts with a brief trail review, then volunteers break into small groups to collect litter and sort it on-site. Participants record the types of debris they find, creating data that supports better maintenance planning for local parks. Short educational sessions reinforce Leave No Trace practices and responsible recycling. Through this mix of hands-on service and learning, each trek helps keep Washington’s trails healthy for future visitors.

Impact

400+ Pounds of Waste Collected

40+ Trail Sites Restored

9 Middle Schools

Collected across trails and parks.

Maintained with recurring volunteer crews.

Collaborating for sustainable trail upkeep.