Jakarta, ThedailyID — An 87-year-old litter picker from Ilkley has gone viral on TikTok, despite not using the platform himself.
Thomas Black, a retired businessman, appeared in a series of anti-litter videos created by the No One Likes a Tosser campaign. The short clips have gained more than 500,000 views, helping spread environmental awareness to younger audiences.
However, Thomas admitted he has never watched the videos. He said he does not understand platforms like TikTok or even messaging apps, describing them as “the other side of the moon.”
Despite the digital gap, he continues his routine of solo litter picking, often collecting beer cans and cigarette packets. On one occasion, he even found a discarded piano.
Thomas began the activity around 10 years ago after noticing excessive litter while cycling across the countryside. At first, he blamed local authorities, but later realized councils were already doing extensive work under difficult conditions.
He now believes the issue lies more with public behavior. Therefore, he emphasizes the importance of education, especially among young people, as well as greater responsibility from businesses in reducing packaging waste.
According to him, littering reflects habits that need to change early. He also suggests targeting learner drivers as part of awareness efforts, since behavior on the road often contributes to roadside waste.
Meanwhile, Thomas continues his daily routine, saying the activity gives him a sense of purpose. He describes litter picking as therapeutic, while also allowing him to contribute in a small but meaningful way.
He added that staying active and maintaining routines is key, especially at his age. For him, every day spent doing something useful counts as a small victory.
