Public asked to ‘adopt a patch’ and clean up island
TO HIGHLIGHT the importance of looking after the planet, volunteers and Bailiwick charities are joining forces to mark World Clean Up Day.
Taking place on Saturday 21 September, it aims to unite 18m. people across 157 countries and territories for one of the biggest waste collection days in history. This year, Pick it Up Guernsey, Plastic Free Guernsey, La Societe Guernesiaise, Fairtrade Guernsey and the Alderney Wildlife Trust are running a variety of events in the lead-up and to coincide with the day.
Pick It Up Guernsey’s Andrew Munro said activities including beach clean-ups and wombles had been organised.
‘We have a variety of different wombling events throughout the week, from 16-22 September,’ he said.
‘With the world on fire and the polar caps melting, our aim is to highlight the importance of protecting the environment and limiting negative human impact.
‘It would be great to see people get involved and come down to Smith Street and Cambridge Park – we even have an “adopt a patch” wombling map for people to select an area for them to take charge of and clean.’
Individuals and groups worldwide will again come together on the official World Clean Up Day to rid the planet of trash – cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from beaches, rivers, forests and streets.
In the island, La Societe Guernesiaise, Fairtrade Guernsey and the Drone Ranger will also have beach cleans at Vazon and Bordeaux, as well as an art installation at Vazon.
The Alderney Wildlife Trust has beach cleans and wombles happening around the island, with Plastic Free Guernsey also bidding to clean up hedgerows during the week.
Guernsey Recycling Group’s Fran Browning said the charities were keen to raise awareness to reduce litter in the environment.
‘People think rubbish is just rubbish,’ she said.
‘We want people to be wary of the choices they make and the alternatives they have to purchase more stuff that can be recycled more easily.
‘Lifestyles can become more sustainable.’
Pick It Up Guernsey will be wombling in Smith Street on Monday from 12.30pm and in Cambridge Park on Wednesday from 12.30pm.
The ‘adopt a patch’ map is available on Pick It Up Guernsey’s Facebook page. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PickItUpGuernsey/.
