A volunteer-led cleanup initiative in Washington has collected more than two million pounds of trash since 2020, sparking scrutiny from state regulators over concerns about how the organization manages and disposes of the waste. Authorities are now examining whether the group’s operations comply with environmental and waste-handling laws. The investigation raises questions about the balance between grassroots environmental efforts and regulatory oversight. Details on the findings and next steps remain unclear as the review continues.


Since 2020, We Heart Seattle has picked up over 2 million pounds of trash. In response, the state government is investigating the group for improper handling of materials.