A group of white-collar workers brought their children to pick up litter to keep the scenic area clean, hoping that the “litterbugs” among the “mountain walkers” could learn from them

　　By Fang Yanglin, reporter of Sunshine Community Text/photos

　　During the Qingming Festival, many citizens go mountain climbing for both exercise and spring outings. However, there was a group of white-collar workers who also carried large garbage bags and grabbers to clean up litter while hiking. At noon on the 2nd, reporters encountered such white-collar workers near the “Pig Head Rock” at the summit of Hulushan Mountain in Tianhe District.

　　Hoping to keep the natural landscape tidy

　　At first glance, these hikers didn’t look much different from ordinary “hiking enthusiasts.” They were seen carrying backpacks, drinking water, and some even had walkie-talkies. The difference was that one hand held a large rice bag or plastic bag, and the other held a pair of grabbers.

　　The reporters saw that the hikers’ bags were filled with cigarette butts, food plastic wrappers, and other trash. One of the hikers introduced that most of them were white-collar workers, “who usually enjoy climbing and can be called professional ‘hiking enthusiasts.’” It is reported that this was their third time picking up litter on Hulushan Mountain. “Nowadays, more people are ‘walking the mountains,’ and some litter carelessly, so we organized this activity.”

　　One hiker said that the white-collar workers who came to pick up litter were all interested in environmental public welfare. “While enjoying the natural landscape, we also need to ensure the purity and cleanliness of the natural scenery. It feels very bad to reach the mountaintop, look up at the boundless view, and then look down to see litter everywhere.”

　　Besides picking up litter, they also promote hygiene

　　They said they usually communicate through QQ groups, and many only know each other by online aliases. They have participated in three or four similar activities, and all equipment, including the grabbers, was purchased with their own money.

　　One hiker said they love traveling and sometimes see cigarette butts and other litter on the ground at scenic spots. “This creates a psychological suggestion to visitors: ‘It’s okay to litter here.’ If the environment is kept natural and tidy, it will deter others from littering to some extent.”

　　The reporters saw that at the top of Hulushan Mountain, besides picking up litter, the white-collar workers also posted signs in conspicuous places asking visitors not to litter.

　　The reporters also noticed that these white-collar workers not only picked up litter themselves but also brought their children to participate. Near the “Pig Head Rock,” a child carefully picked up cigarette butts and paper scraps and then threw the litter into the mother’s garbage bag, earning praise from the mother. One parent said that teaching children to love nature and pay attention to hygiene requires not only verbal instruction but also leading by example. “This is undoubtedly the best way.”