The Trash Punx cleaned up the streets of San Jose in a punk rock style.
CEO and founder of the group, Justin Imamura, said he was commuting home from work and noticed an overwhelming amount of trash on the street.
“The Trash Punx are a band of volunteers that get together to beautify the community,” Imamura said.
Imamura said he questioned why there was so much trash and why no one was doing anything about it.
After self-researching, he continued to wonder what was happening to the tax money that he and other residents of San Jose were paying to keep the city clean.
“The amount of trash that we picked up at the last event was approximately 25,000 pounds of trash,” Imamura said.
It was after the first event that he then decided to start an organization with the intention to help beautify San Jose.
The organization has partnered with the City of San Jose’s anti-litter committee along with the anti-graffiti committee to help transportation to dispose of the trash bags, provide litter sticks and trash bags.
During last year’s flood in Coyote Creek, The Trash Punx became an official organization.
According to NBC Bay Area, 14,000 people were evacuated from their houses. The Trash Punx wanted to help the families that had lost their homes in the flood.
The Trash Punx hosted its first event in the Alum Rock area. The families that had lost their homes in the flood stayed at Saratoga High School.
In order to provide the families with direct relief, the organization decided to clean the areas that were affected by the flood.
Eight of Imamura’s friends volunteered at the first event and now, The Trash Punx has more than 200 volunteers.
“Justin brings so much energy and youth to The Trash Punx. Without Justin, organizing events to pick up trash, it wouldn’t happen.” Paula Christensen, The Trash Punx volunteer said.
“Instead of complaining about the trash, Imamura decided that he was going to “put his money where his mouth is,” she added.
Imamura was born and raised in San Jose. He left for Los Angeles to pursue his music career 10 years ago.
His background in music has allowed him to tour with bands like 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used, and is part of the band the Street Drum Corps.
Imamura said that he uses the trash he picks up around San Jose to recycle into drum kits.
Imamura’s Street Drum Corps group, Blood Drums, is performing at California’s Great America.
Imamura said he is someone who balances life and works efficiently, with the Drum Corps, The Trash Punx and being a father.
The Trash Punx hosts one cleanup event every month. Imamura gives volunteers who have donated their time for six or more events a black denim vest with a patch of The Trash Punx logo.
“If you see someone walking around the city with the denim vest, you need to buy them a drink because you know that they volunteered 100 plus hours for the sake of beautifying the community,” Imamura added.
The organization’s next event called Operation: Care and Comfort will take place on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Avaya Stadium.
The event is dedicated to sending care packages to deployed troops.
To find out when the next event will be or to find out how you can become involved, visit thetrashpunx.org.
