By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Daniel Melo has been helping keep Bolton and Caledon streets clean since 2021.

Whether he's armed with garbage bags and gloves, or just out for a walk with his dogs, picking up “a litter bit of everything” is his motto when it comes to keeping the community clean.

Melo can often be found in the community's parking lots and parks picking up garbage and keeping the streets clean, and sometimes sharing it with his growing online audience on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

“I noticed that people are irresponsible sometimes,” says Melo, thinking back to when he began his mission in 2021. “It's up to us citizens.”

He says people should think twice before tossing their garbage out, let alone on the street.

“You can do anything with it, not just throw it out. If you're actually very careful with it, you can make art out of it. You can actually make little Christmas ornaments,” he says.

Over the last four years, he says these trash pick-ups have been instrumental in getting him out of the house and seeing others in the community.

About a year in, Melo began filming his cleanups and posting them online.

He saw others on social media platforms do the same, and it encouraged him to try it out.

Melo says whether people know him or not, they're commenting on his posts, commending him for his efforts.

“Some people have even helped me pick up garbage in my content. I had a neighbor that helped me do it, my cousin, and then even Councillor Napoli.”

Melo says hosting these pickups is a positive experience and that it's more impactful than a job.

He adds he typically goes out and does a pickup once a week, often driving around the community to notice where it needs the most help.

He finds that garbage bins outside of stores are usually overflowing, as that is a big area that he helps clean up.

Cleaning up the community is often on his mind. Melo adds that even when he's walking his dogs, he's mindful to pick up the garbage he sees.

As Melo helps clean up the community, he's worked with several community organizations, assisting with their own cleanups, including ecoCaledon.

Even when the snow comes, although it makes the pickups more challenging, “it doesn't mean I can't,” clarifies Melo, as he continues to work during the winter season.

He says a large part of what makes this special for him is when people in the community approach him and tell him that they've seen his videos, and that he's doing a great job.

And to those that he inspires with his videos, he says, “Be kind. Be respectful. And be yourself, in a kind way.”