Posted on 10th Apr
A volunteer network of litter-pickers is being championed by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The authority hopes to buy 400 litter pickers, hoops, bags and high-vis vests, which will be made available to those volunteering.
Coun David Lloyd, council leader, explained: “We want to build a volunteer network — a network of passionate individuals and groups who, like us, cannot tolerate the mindless littering that blights our beautiful district.
“As a district council we can do so much, but we know that if we all pull together we can achieve so much more.
“More people than ever are asking the council for equipment so they can help step up our efforts. With many volunteers preferring to go out on their own to litter pick while dog walking or during the school run rather than joining a larger group activity, we want to formalise our volunteer network to make it as easy as possible for our wonderful community to tackle littering.”
The council is launching a MyAccount platform, which will allow residents to create an account to access its services that are relevant to them.
Once set up with an account, residents will be able to organise local community litter-picking activities. The council will then arrange the delivery of litter-pickers, high-vis vests, litter hoops and bags, as well as agreeing the location for the collection of waste.
Coun Lloyd added: “Our district is huge, at over 650km² it is the largest district in Nottinghamshire. While our environmental teams work all over the district we need volunteers to work with us in a coordinated way so we can direct our services to the right places at the right times.
“That is why we are calling on even more local residents to become part of our volunteer network. We currently have around 100 event organisers, community groups and individuals who take part in volunteer litter picks, with a district the size of Newark and Sherwood, even more volunteers are required to further help support our environmental team in a more efficient and manageable way.
The new MyAccount platform will contain lots of personalised information for residents relating specifically to their area, for example personalised bin collection calendars. In addition to organising community litter picks individuals via the platform, as the scheme develops it is envisioned that those who sign up to this new initiative will be able to take advantage of other environmental improvement offerings.
Coun Lloyd said: “Our aim is to get around 400 regular volunteers, who will be supplied with equipment to litter pick their local area. The equipment is being issued on an ongoing loan basis with the resident holding the kit for as long as they require.
“We will continue to fine all those people we spot littering and I encourage you to report any litter to us, via the report feature on our website. But our volunteer network will not only bring our community together, it will help us tackle an issue that frustrates us all.”
Earlier this year the council launched its Green Rewards app, which rewards residents for small changes they make in a bid to becoming greener. This could be walking instead of using a car or taking part in a litter pick.
To find out more about Newark and Sherwood’s Green Rewards scheme, visit newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/your-home/waste-and-recycling/recycling/green-rewards-app/
To report littering online visit https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/streetcleaning/
If you wish to arrange a community litter pick prior to the launch of MyAccount, email [email protected]
