Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Campaigners have reported a significant increase in roadside litter across Wales, following a recent survey that revealed rubbish was found on 99% of the country’s main roads. The most frequently encountered litter items included sweet wrappers, drink containers, and packaging from fast-food outlets, according to the charity Keep Wales Tidy.
The chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy expressed frustration over the careless behavior of individuals discarding rubbish from vehicles, calling it “ridiculous” that anyone thinks it is acceptable to throw waste out of their car window while driving. This irresponsible action not only endangers those involved in clean-up efforts but also imposes a considerable financial burden, with an estimated cost of £3 million spent by taxpayers annually across Wales to tackle roadside litter.
Volunteers play a crucial role in addressing the litter problem. Ron Ford, a 75-year-old litter picker from Torfaen, described the situation as a “constant problem,” pointing out that certain areas, or “grot spots,” need recurring attention. Ford’s group, active in the Pontypool area, has collected nearly 14,000 bags of rubbish since 2018, including over 650 bags this year alone. Their efforts often focus on laybys and industrial estates where drivers tend to stop and consume fast food, resulting in frequent litter accumulation. Ford explains, “It’s the quick ‘in the bush’ kind of thing, which creates a problem for us then, we’re clambering through to get it out.”
Other volunteers, such as Alison Harrison from Cwmbran, have noted that the situation has deteriorated over the years. Despite feeling disheartened, they persist, motivated by the visible impact of their work. Meanwhile, statistics from the survey highlight smoking-related litter like cigarette butts on 88.1% of surveyed roads and confectionery packaging on 80.7%. Drinks containers and fast-food packaging appeared on 72.1% and 67% of routes, respectively. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy’s chief executive, emphasized the need for personal responsibility to stem this rising tide of litter, noting, “It feels easy to blame everyone else for these issues, but we need to take that individual responsibility as well.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.