Wiltshire Council staff and local area board members spent their lunch breaks yesterday (Tuesday) picking up litter to help clean up Trowbridge.
The event was the first of its kind, as further events are planned to take place in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Salisbury, and was developed as an idea suggested by staff as part of the county-wide Clean Up Wilts campaign.
The group tackled known problem litter areas in Trowbridge park, Biss Meadows and the town centre – using equipment funded by Trowbridge Area Board and McDonald’s.
A total 13 bags of litter were collected during the hour.
Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for waste, said: “I’d like to thank all the staff and local members who gave up their lunch break to pick up litter that has helped to improve Trowbridge, making it a nicer place to live and work.
“We have many volunteers and groups across the county that organise litter picks and do a really fantastic job. It is such a shame that people still consider it acceptable to discard litter in the first place.
“Wiltshire Council spends £2.5 million each year on clearing up the county to make sure we preserve our beautiful landscape. This cost is totally avoidable and this money could be better spent on vital frontline services.
“If we all dispose of litter properly, we will help to keep Wiltshire beautiful, protect the wildlife, and be in a position to reallocate this budget to other key services.”
The Clean Up Wilts campaign aims to raise awareness and change behaviour so that the £2.5million bill taxpayers currently pay to clean up litter thrown by people in Wiltshire can be reduced.
Everyone is urged to play their part in keeping our beautiful county clean, by taking home their food on the go litter and, in March 2018, participating in the third phase of the Clean Up Wilts campaign to tackle local litter hot spots throughout the county.
Find out more about Clean Up Wilts: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cleanupwilts
