Massey University student Connor Mcnall is taking an unusual approach to social media by using it to pick up rubbish in his bubble.
Mcnall runs a marketing agency for restaurants when he isn’t studying, and knew Tik Tok was one of the most used apps in today’s generation, so decided to download it and see if it could help with marketing.
When the Government announced New Zealand would be going into lockdown on March 25, the 21-year-old knew the app wouldn’t be much use to him with his marketing work.
However, after watching numerous videos, he came up with the idea to upload something he hoped would promote a positive outcome.
Mcnall started with the goal of picking up 100,00 pieces of rubbish, but when his videos started getting popular, he decided to extend his target by picking up a piece for every like, comment, and share on his Tik Toks.
Mcnall says he hopes it will open people’s minds into how much waste is actually out there and encourage them to clean up their neighbourhoods too, or not litter in general.
“In my videos, I am picking up rubbish within a 20-metre radius and I am able to pick up over three bags' worth, and I could still go back for more, over a couple of days.
"It blows my mind to think if I wanted to clean up a whole neighbourhood, the amount of rubbish I would pick up would be truckloads.”
Mcnall says when New Zealand is free from COVID-19, he would tour the country in a van to clean up other areas and would be keen for others to join him in saving New Zealand’s environment.
The Aucklander currently has a goal of 225,000 pieces of rubbish to pick up, which has increased by 125,000.
You can follow his Tik Tok page here - https://vm.tiktok.com/7FUsVo/