To mark Earth Day 2021, Malmesbury are coming together to do their bit to clean up their town.
A rise in litter has been noted throughout lockdown, despite the best efforts of numerous individuals such as eco-warrior Ben Thornbury.
Until next Thursday (April 22) Malmesbury Against Plastic will co-ordinate the 'Big Clean Up' project.
The group was established to help the town reduce our use of single-use plastic, following the scheme organised by Surfers Against Sewage.
In May 2020, the town was awarded the Plastic Free Community status, after several local business and organisations committed to reducing their use of single-use plastic and enabling their customers and users to do so also.
With the Big Clean Up, they hope to highlight these issues and offer the solution that people take their rubbish home with them, recycling there whatever they can.
They will hold their Great Big Litter Sort at the Riverside Centre at 3:45pm on Thursday April 22, when everyone's collected litter will be added up.
How to join in
MAP have biodegradable rubbish bags that can be collected from the noticeboard on Tetbury Hill or by contacting malmesburyagainstplastic@outlook.com or via the Malmesbury Against Plastic Facebook page.
Whatley Manor Hotel are also supporting the initiative. They will be organising litter-picking outings around their site, including the Fosse Way and towards Easton Grey on 22nd at 10am. They will also have bags and gloves. Email malmesburyagainstplastic@outlook.com to get involved.
Litter pickers are available to borrow from Ben.
Please sort your litter into plastic, metal, glass and landfill.
People have been asked to bring their collected rubbish to the Riverside Centre on April 22, where there will be signs for where to leave it.
MAP have highlighted the real concerns that litter can have on the community.
All the issues associated with litter are as relevant in Malmesbury as anywhere:
- Dangerous to animals, both pets and wildlife,
- Microplastics end up in the soil and waterways, causing the associated health risks for animals and humans
- Material that could be recycled is ending up in landfill.
- There is a significant extra cost to the town council, even when litter is piled next to overflowing bins,
- Unsightly.
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