Armed with bags, trash grabbers and a goal to pick up litter on the streets, Aljona Zueva had an idea to take a different approach of how she can clean up the waste in her city’s streets. With a passion for this idea, Aljona founded Rohelinn in 2018, an NGO with the goal of making Tallinn a cleaner and greener city by removing garbage from the streets. Rohelinn takes a different approach to this common way of keeping cities clean, as it combines picking up trash with fun experiences.

Although she does not have any educational or professional background in sustainability, Aljona is now fully involved in various green initiatives. She first got introduced to sustainability while being enrolled in the Erasmus programme in Norway, by some friends who showed her how to be a part of sustainability care.

Rohelinn hosts events to make picking up trash fun for everyone. One of the many events that Rohelinn holds is Trash Dance. “We have a Zumba trainer who comes to the park and does open training to everyone whose there, music is all over the place, people are so cheerful, and everyone dances together. Then we give them sticks and pick up trash in the park,” as Aljona explains.

One of Rohelinn’s missions is environmental education and protecting the planet for future generations. “Only when you start doing it, you cannot unsee the garbage around you”, she recalls. You also bring people all along with you, it’s a way to involve new generations.