Litter Busters launch
Dudley Council has said thank you to its dedicated volunteer litter pickers with the launch of Dudley Borough Litter Busters at Himley Hall this week.
Currently there are 144 volunteer litter picking groups and 235 individual litter pickers registered with Dudley Council. These community spirited volunteers give their time for free to help make their areas more attractive places to live.
Dudley Council wanted to recognise their invaluable hard work and hosted a launch event for the newly named super-group at an event on Monday 20 March at Himley Hall. Attendees were provided with new Litter Busters branded high visibility vests and pedometers to keep track of their steps when out and about. They were also thanked for their hard work by the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Steve Clark and the head of neighbourhood services and the street scene group manager. Vests and pedometers will be supplied to those who were unable to make it to the thank you event. It also launched a private facebook group to share details of forthcoming council litter picks with volunteers.
From April 2022 to March 2023, 1,196 adults and 107 children or young adults have taken part in community litter picks. Between them they’ve collected 1357 bags of waste, giving the community 1099 hours at a value of well over £10,000.
Councillor Steve Clark, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said:
I’m so glad we were able to host this thank you event as a small way of showing our gratitude to the hundreds of people who have helped at a community litter pick, either as a one off or on a more regular basis.
The work they do helps to make our borough cleaner, greener and more attractive for everyone. Getting rid of rubbish in our parks and green spaces helps our local wildlife too. It can also be a fun and sociable way to spend a few hours, out in the open with like-minded people, working together to make a difference.
June McAuliffe, who volunteers in the Saltwells and Netherton areas, said:
I moved to the area a few years ago and volunteering on litter picks has given me the opportunity to meet new people, keep active and contribute to my local community.
It’s so great to be able to give something and I find a huge sense of satisfaction in helping to clean up litter.
The council provides litter pickers, bags and any other equipment needed for a litter pick and arranges collection of the bagged waste. Items can be loaned as a one-off or semi-permanently for people wishing to undertake regular litter picks.
All newly registered volunteers receive a welcome pack and will now also receive a branded high visibility vest and pedometer. Anyone wishing to become a Litter Buster should email street.cleaning@dudley.gov.uk