This week residents of the West End of Lincoln took part in a voluntary litter pick to help clear the streets.
There was a total of around 20 volunteers working throughout the day on Tuesday, November 2. They collected 19 bags of litter.
The litter pick forms part of the COP26 week and the University of Lincoln’s Climate Week in the aims of getting Lincoln to be greener.
Emma Haigh, resident of the West End and the University of Lincoln Students’ Union’s volunteering assistant, organised the litter pick to help give back to the local community and to help students integrate into it, all whilst helping the environment.
She said: “The problem with litter isn’t as bad as it could be in a residential area, but in a West End Facebook group called The Wombles of Lincoln they have noticed a real issue in the West End area. It’s been an issue since residents have been around.”
“The problem isn’t so much on the streets but further along where people tend to fly tip so we’re focusing there also.”
Ms Haigh said they will eventually cover the Sincil Bank area, Monks Road, and the other side of Carholme Road near the Grandstand.
She also says that the City of Lincoln Council have helped by showing her how to report hazardous waste and where to leave the litter once they have finished.
Whilst volunteering is a free alternative to paid street cleaning, research suggests that the cost to the taxpayers for street cleaning is over £1 billion a year. This is an expensive solution to an expensive problem.
Another organiser, Nat Kirchin, the University of Lincoln Students’ Union’s VP of Campaigns and Environment was delighted with the turnout.
She said: “We are aiming to do these litter picks every year, we have been doing them for the past year or so and they’re slowly starting to pick up traction and people are really starting to get involved and enjoy them. The overall vibe of everyone taking part has been great.”
Emma and Nat also shared with us more simple ways we can be sustainable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZRLdDJBCD4