Posted on: Monday 15 April 2024
Plastic bottles, crisp packets, vapes, a broken E-Scooter, and a car head rest are just some of the items of rubbish picked up as part of Torfaen’s annual Spring Clean.
Nearly 100 volunteers tackled 10 litter hotspots, and collected a total of 57 bags of rubbish, and 25 bags of recyclable items.
Oliver James, Torfaen Council’s Litter and Fly-tipping Prevention Officer, said: “It was my second year running these events, and it’s still a pleasure to meet people who are enthusiastic about keeping the environment clean.
“It was great to have members of the Torfaen Access Forum attending this year as well.”
Torfaen Spring Clean litter picks took place at: Pontypool Park, Garn Lakes, Blaenavon town centre, Garndiffaith Millennium Hall Car Park, Pontypool town centre, Springvale Woods, Northfields, Llantarnam Ponds, Cwmbran Boating Lake and Woodland Road fields.
Five of the locations were chosen because they were suitable for volunteers with mobility problems.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive member for the Environment, said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to thank everyone who got involved in this year’s Spring Clean. By working together, we really can make a difference to the cleanliness of Torfaen.
“We would also like to thank individuals and groups who litter pick throughout the year, we really do appreciate all of your hard work.
“Litter is unsightly, unhygienic and can be dangerous to animals. There’s no excuse to throw litter as we have over 700 litter bins located throughout the borough.
“We are always happy to support the public and groups with litter picks including offering advice and where to loan equipment, so please get in touch if this is something you or your group would like to get involved in.”
Torfaen Spring Clean takes place every year and is an opportunity for residents, businesses, schools and other agencies to carry out litter picks to help clean up the borough and create litter free zones.
To find out more about environmental volunteering opportunities with the council get in touch with Oliver.James@torfaen.gov.uk, join our dedicated Facebook group, visit Connect Torfaen or call 01495 762200.
If you would like to host your own litter pick, equipment can be collected free from one of our Litter Picking Hubs.
This project contributes to the council's wellbeing objectives to respond to the climate and nature emergency by working towards delivering the Litter and Fly-tipping Action Plan. You can read more about the council's County Plan here.