VOLUNTEERS from the Warrington Litter Networks broke another record during the GB Spring Clean, collecting more than 500 bags of rubbish.
The litter volunteers throughout Warrington organised 18 separate team litter picks during the last two weeks of March. Over 100 volunteers aged from 7 up to their mid-70s participated. This was part of a national Spring Clean campaign organised by Keep Britain Tidy.
Over the two weeks, a massive 516 bags of litter (compared to 345 last year) were collected from Warrington’s Parks, Trails, and a few litter hotspots. The litter bags were collected by Warrington Borough Council for disposal. In addition around 5,000 crushed aluminium drinks cans were taken for recycling by Novelis at their Latchford plant. Aluminium cans have value, and this raised £125 towards the Orford Veterans’ Hub Charity.
Village Saturday team at Latchford Locks
Litter picks took place throughout Warrington including the full 12-mile length of the Trans Pennine Trail from Heatley, Lymm to Spike Island, Widnes. The Sankey Canal up to St Helens was tidied. Litterpicks took place in Callands, Orford Park, Westy Park, Birchwood, Croft, Gorse Covert and Winwick. The Town Centre around Warrington Town Hall and Bank Quay was included, along with St Elphin’s park and Churchyard, Latchford and Whitecross.
Warrington’s Keep Britain Tidy Litterheroes Ambassadors were instrumental in making the Spring Clean such a success.
Julie Campbell from Howley said: “Once again our volunteers stepped up to the mark, absolutely smashing our target.”
Lead organiser Dr Tony Dixon remarked: “Whichever way you look at it, this Spring Clean has been a huge win for the town, its residents and our natural environment. Last year we collected 345 bags of mixed litter; this year we have beaten that total by a huge margin with 516 bags collected; all done by volunteers giving up their time. They are a tremendous credit to the town.”
Warrington’s litter teams have collected over 25,000 bags of litter in the last three years. The litter pickers are reporting that key areas of the town are getting tidier, with falling bag returns, even after the recent prolonged bin strike.
If readers would like to get involved with local litter picking please visit litternetworks.org
Tuesday morning team near Gatewarth
Cycle picking the TPT to Widnes
Tuesday afternoon team on Forrest Way, Sankey Bridges
