Litter picking on Yr Wyddfa like 'sinking ship'

Litter picking on Yr Wyddfa like 'sinking ship'

A campaign to reduce litter on Wales’ highest mountain, Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, is gaining momentum with the introduction of a new deposit scheme for plastic and glass bottles. Currently, volunteers collect over 1,500kg of rubbish annually from the mountain, likened to bailing water from a sinking ship. However, the Welsh government’s plan to incentivize returning bottles and cans for money or vouchers is seen as a game-changer in the fight against single-use pollution on the mountain. Despite an increase in the number of climbers reaching the summit, national park officials note that litter levels appear to have stabilized.

Various organizations, such as the national park, the National Trust, Cymdeithas Eryri, and Trash Free Trails, coordinate over 100 litter picks each year around Yr Wyddfa. The majority of the litter is concentrated on the mountain itself. In a recent cleanup session on the Llanberis Path, 277 pieces of single-use pollution were collected over a 1.8 mile (3km) stretch. Volunteer Owain Thomas expressed the cyclical nature of the problem, likening it to constantly bailing out a sinking ship only for the rubbish to reappear shortly after.

The deposit return scheme, set to launch in October 2027, aims to significantly decrease littering by rewarding individuals who return empty beverage containers. Campaigners emphasize the positive impact this initiative will have on reducing single-use pollution. Trash Free Trails’ Heather Friendship-Kay highlighted that nearly a third of the litter found on trails in Wales would be eligible for the scheme, potentially eliminating a substantial portion of waste. However, it is acknowledged that addressing litter on Yr Wyddfa is a multifaceted issue that requires collaborative efforts from governments, companies, and individuals.

Partners involved in the cleanup efforts stress the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining the cleanliness of Yr Wyddfa. Etta Morgan from Eryri National Park Authority calls on all visitors to adopt a “leave no trace” approach by taking their litter home and respecting the environment. Robbie Blackhall-Miles from Plantlife notes the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on the mountain’s ecosystem, highlighting the significance of waste removal in mitigating environmental harm. The ongoing efforts to combat litter on Yr Wyddfa underscore the necessity of collective action in preserving the natural beauty of the iconic mountain

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