Yesterday saw organiser Andrew Munro and a group of volunteers take an hour over lunchtime to walk around Town picking up cigarette butts.
Setting themselves the challenge of collecting 2,500 in the hour, the group returned with full buckets.
Mr Munro said people were always complaining that the States needed to do more to keep the streets clean.
‘When you walk along busier roads, like the front, you find they are relatively clean because it is easier for them to be cleaned,’ he said.
‘I’ve spent today walking through the back streets, like Sausmarez Street and Brock Road, where there are cars parked most of the time.
‘These areas don’t receive the same care because it is logistically more difficult and cost to benefit has to be taken into account.’
The ‘Womblers’, identified by their bright attire and litter pickers, see cigarette butts as an important issue due to the impact they have on the environment.
Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items in the world and, while small, are highly toxic.
They are made of cellulose acetate, which breaks down into micro-plastics over up to 15 years, and, once broken down, they enter the food system and impact ecosystems.
A single butt in a litre of water has been shown to be lethal to all micro-organisms within 24 hours.
Volunteer Andy McCutcheon said he was keen to get involved.
‘This is a good thing to do because cigarette butts are a scourge on the environment that has been taken too lightly,’ he said.
‘There are a lot of smokers who don’t realise the impact they are having.’
Events organised by Pick it Up Guernsey are open to all.
Representing Ogier, Julie Gill said: ‘We are very interested in helping “Womblers” and have worked with Andrew on a number of events.
‘We are looking to grow our recycling efforts within the firm, so helping Pick it Up Guernsey all we can, hopefully we can move forwards together.’
To get involved, contact Mr Munro on 07797 819904 or email anmunro@hotmail.com.
For information, events and discussion, visit the Pick It Up Guernsey Facebook page.
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