Posted on: Friday 13 September 2024
A group set up by a litter-picking duo has collected their 10,000th bag of rubbish.
Torfaen Litter Champions was set up by Ron Ford and Jennie Simons in 2018 after they had both been litter picking separately for a few years.
The group now has eight members who pick up litter an average of twice a week in the winter and once a week in the summer.
Ron, from Griffithstown, Pontypool, said: “We collected our 10,000th bag of litter in the summer. It’s amazing to see how much we can achieve when we come together.
“I’ve been litter picking for 10 years and I never tire of it. It makes me proud seeing a clean piece of land after we’ve litter picked, and it keeps me fit an active.
“I’ve also made a great group of friends, which is why I encourage anyone who is thinking of joining our group just to do it. You’ll have a warm welcome.”
The group is supported by Torfaen Council’s Community Environment Officer Oliver James who provides the group with litter picking equipment such as bags. Oliver also works closely with the group around key dates such as the Torfaen Spring Clean, together they also share knowledge around grot spots in the borough.
Oliver said: “Ron, Jennie and the Torfaen Litter Champions are inspirational and show what can be achieved when communities come together.
“Ideally, people wouldn’t drop litter or would pick up any rubbish they see but our environment is a cleaner place thanks to help from our volunteers.”
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “This milestone is bittersweet. It’s an amazing achievement by the volunteers, but it’s also sad to think that this large amount of litter has been thrown on the floor when there are litter bins around.
“We are immensely proud of our volunteers, and their dedication and hard work continues to make an impact in our community. Each bag of litter collected represents a step towards a cleaner, greener Torfaen.”
You can find out more information about the Torfaen Litter Champions by following them on Facebook.
Litter picking groups or individual volunteers can borrow free equipment, including litter pickers, hoops, bags and high vis vests to carry out their own litter picks. Visit one of our litter picking hubs:
- Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School, Blaenavon
- Circulate Furniture Recycling, Blaenavon
- Costar Partnership, Greenmeadow
- Cwmbran Community Council, Ventnor Road, Cwmbran
- Garnsychan Partnership, Abersychan
- Llandegfedd Lake Visitor & Activity Centre
- Pontypool Market, Pontypool
- The Boat House Café, Cwmbran Boating Lake
- Thornhill Community Centre, Cwmbran
- Zero Waste Torfaen, Southville
You can also register your business, school or community group as a Litter Free Zone. For more information, contact oliver.james@torfaen.gov.uk
Find out more about how the council is tackling litter and fly-tipping
Photo (L-R): Ron Ford, Jennie Simons, and Ken Lapping