Why Kris Leland is picking up trash every day for 30 days

In partnership with

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re introducing you to someone who is as passionate about picking up litter as we are—which is saying a lot 😅 Plus, get ready for the long weekend with our Top 5 Picks.

Let’s tackle that trash 🗑️ y’all!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

People & Places You Should Know: Kris Leland

It all started with a trip to the Market32 on Madison Avenue in Albany. On a recent stroll to the store, Kris Leland spotted a huge mess of cigarette filters and empty packages on the street. For days, it sat there untouched—until Kris decided he was going to be the one to pick up the trash.

And he kept picking up trash. It became a daily habit. Then he started writing about it on the r/Albany subreddit. Yesterday was “Day 18 of 30: Picking up a bag of trash every day to help clean up my neighborhood.”

That neighborhood is New Scotland, around St. Peter’s Hospital. Trulia calls it a “beautiful area, with large, well maintained homes. Beautiful streets for walking.” Kris would like to keep it that way.

A recent transplant from Denver to Albany (where his grandmother lives), Kris says he’s been motivated by the response from people he meets on the street—and by the Reddit community.

“I started picking up trash every day, and a couple of people stopped and thanked me. I realized it was a cool thing to do,” Kris says in a chat with The 518.

The 35-year-old software developer had recently split from a 9-year relationship.

“I think I was looking for some positivity and to meet some new people. I was wondering if anyone would want to come along.”

They do and they have! Since Kris started writing about his 30-day, trash-picking project, people have reached out and asked about joining in. The comments on Reddit have been overwhelmingly positive. Here’s just one example:

“Too many people forget it is us who makes the change. A little effort goes a long way for a cleaner community. You just have to start somewhere. I hope you inspire others to do the same.”

We’ve written previously about Albany’s litter problem, which seems to be worse than other comparable cities. One of our theories is that litter begets litter. Conversely, if you start picking up trash in your neighborhood, your neighbors will respond in kind.

“Don’t be afraid to start in your neighborhood and start small,” Kris tells us. “You don’t have to do much to make a difference.”

If you would like to meet Kris, and join him and others for a Clean-up Day on Sunday, Oct. 20, sign up here.

🍁 WEATHER WATCH

🫙 🦫 THE 518 TIP JAR IS OPEN!

Love what we do? Buy us a coffee with a small donation here 🤎 🙏 Thank you to everyone who’s already donated. We love you!

A word from our sponsor

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Upgrade your news intake with 1440! Dive into a daily newsletter trusted by millions for its comprehensive, 5-minute snapshot of the world's happenings. We navigate through over 100 sources to bring you fact-based news on politics, business, and culture—minus the bias and absolutely free.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

☄️ You may see the Northern Lights in the night sky over the Capital Region tonight and tomorrow. The aurora event also happens to coincide with the brightest comet of the year—Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. [Times Union]

🚆 Amtrak is reducing the number of routes between the Capital District and NYC. Starting next month, 3 routes to the city and back will be eliminated, affecting Hudson Valley travelers. [Times Union]

🎃 A new Halloween event is launching at the Altamont Fairgrounds. From Oct. 25 to 27, Halloween Haunts will feature activities for both kids and adults, including haunted houses, hayrides, axe throwing, and cemetery walk-throughs. [News10]

🍁 The autumn leaves are doing their thing. Check the fall foliage report if you’re planning on going leaf peeping. Most of the Adirondacks are past prime and the Catskills are reaching their peak now. Don’t miss our roundup on incredible ways to see the fall foliage.

⭐️ Chowderfest | Sun, 12-5p, $2 per sample, free to stroll. Judge who has the best chowder in town (well, in Troy, at least). Sunday will bring just the kind of sweater weather you want while chowing on some homey chowder.

Also happening: Saratoga Flavorfeast on Saturday. Taste culinary delights from around the world for just $2 per sample.

⭐️ Haunted Shaker Tour | Thur-Sat, 5p for kids and 7p for adults. Tix for the 75-minute tour are $10 per child, $15 adult. Advanced registration required. Walk the dark paths of the Hancock Shaker Village, and hear true tales of ghostly sightings of Shakers who once lived here (and perhaps still do).

⭐️ 22nd Annual The Way We Were Car Show | Sat, 9a-4p, free. Hundreds of classic cars converge on the charming village of Ballston Spa. Also enjoy a kids’ zone, food and craft vendors, live music and more.

⭐️ Albany Twilight Market | Sat, 5-9p, free. Washington Park Lakehouse. The twilight market is always a great place to pick up something weird and wacky to satisfy your inner goth, but Saturday’s event is the only one taking place before Halloween. Expect extra spooky goods.

⭐️ Troy Open Studios | Sat, 12-6p, free. This inaugural annual event is a chance for the public to tour 25 artist studios in Troy. Our very own Karley will be there as part of Kiddie Pool; come say hello 👋 

🎃 MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

🖼️ Opalka Gallery hosts a “PechaKucha,” in which a series of speakers will take the stage for mini-talks (about 6 min each). Expect a cool & smart art crowd. Doors open at 6:30p.

🎃 Today through Sunday, Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke hosts its Harvest Festival Weekend (10a-6p). Get lost in the 11-acre maze, pick your own pumpkin, visit the farm animals and stay for the magic show.

FRIDAY

🔥 “Hadestown” opens at Proctors. The Tony Award-winning musical intertwines two mythic tales—young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and Persephone—on a hell-raising journey to the underworld.

🎵 Folk rockers The Mountain Goats bring their narrative songwriting and catchy melodies to The Egg. Also, Lil Wayne performs at the MVP Arena.

SATURDAY

🍁 The Maple Ski Ridge 16th Annual Fall Festival in Schenectady is a family-friendly affair with food, live music, car show, bounce house, chairlift rides and hay rides.

🤖 Electric City Maker Faire is a free biennial event featuring a variety of exhibitors hosting STEM demos and hands-on activities.

💀 It's opening night at Hub Gallery in Glens Falls for its “A Ghastly Array of Ghoulish Artwork” exhibition.

SUNDAY

👰 The NY Bridal and Wedding Expo is your chance to meet tons of vendors, including photographers and venue planners.

MONDAY

⛵️ For Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples’ Day), head to the Albany Institute of Art & History for Free Family Day, with a special performance by Lark Trio from 1–3p.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

💌 GET IN TOUCH

Know a cool business, event or local personality we should profile? Reach us directly at [email protected].