Meet the Garbage Gals!

Garbage Gals is more than a clean-up crew; it's a movement. We bring people together to reclaim their neighborhoods and make meaningful impacts.

Community engagement is crucial for lasting change. Through our clean-up initiatives, sustainability efforts, and partnerships with local organizations, we empower residents to take pride in their environment.

Our mission is to clean up neighborhoods, create camaraderie, and show how small steps can lead to big change across Chicago.

Meet the Team

  • Founder and Exective Director

    My name is Sophie and while I still feel new to Chicago, only having moved here in 2019, I already feel a deep connection to the city. My interest in trash collection however dates back a little further.

    My mom and I volunteered when I was about 20 to pick up trash for Earth Day in our community. I felt a connection to our street in a way I hadn’t ever before and a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

    I always would think back to that day and last August I decided to go for it. I created the Garbage Gals as a way to feel that same sense of pride and connection to my community.

    Growing this group has brought me so much joy already and I can’t wait to see how we grow.

  • Chief Operating Officer

    My name is Cat, and I'm proud to call Chicago my home. Growing up in this vibrant city, I was deeply influenced by my dad and my maternal grandfather, both of whom worked as garbage men.

    Their dedication to keeping our streets clean and their behind-the-scenes work ethic instilled in me a profound respect for our environment and the community we share.

    Their impactful careers have shaped my own aspirations and commitment to making Chicago a cleaner and better place for everyone.

    I am committed to leaving Chicago better than we found it because I see the potential in every piece of overlooked trash.

    Through community engagement and responsible habits, we believe we can transform our city into a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable place.

    It's a mission that not only honors the hard work of my dad, grandfather, and other garbage laborers, but also paves the way for future generations to enjoy a healthier, more beautiful Chicago.

WHY WE DO IT

Trash isn't just discarded waste. It reveals our habits, values, and what we respect. Each piece of litter symbolizes either a lapse in judgment or an opportunity for progress.

While many view trash as the end of a cycle, we see it as a chance for a fresh start. By responsibly disposing of waste and recycling as much as possible, we turn potential landfill waste into new possibilities, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.