TAMPA, Fla. — Keeping the Tampa Bay area clean can be a dirty job, but a Tampa man has taken on the challenge with a unique twist. He dresses like a wolf.
"My name is Mateo Smith, but in my spare time I am the Trash Wolf."
About a year and a half ago, Mateo said he just couldn't take it anymore. He was tired of seeing trash scattered in every corner of the Tampa Bay area.
"This mission needs attention in a way that I don't think it was getting it," Smith said. "It's ridiculous to be a wolf out here and clean up litter, but I think it's ridiculous how much trash is out here. I'm trying to match that energy."
It would be easy for the "Trash Wolf" to show up in parks and on beaches to clean up, but his mission is bigger than that.
"I want to get out in the areas that maybe aren't getting the same attention, show them that their neighborhoods matter too," he said. "I want to make sure it's everybody. I want to make sure everyone is seeing a clean neighborhood, clean streets because everyone deserves that."
He says his number one goal is awareness, because if people notice the trash, maybe it will inspire them to help clean it up.
"The next step is organizing larger cleanups led by the Trash Wolf, get the pack behind me," he said. "Because we can do so much more together."
So if you spot the Trash Wolf in your neighborhood, no need to run, consider joining the pack and helping keep the Bay Area clean.
"Howl Yeah!"
The city of Tampa told me they love any help they can get cleaning up the area. They also have numerous programs constantly in action helping to keep Tampa clean. Here's a link to follow the Trash Wolf on Instagram and TikTok.