Over 1,000 bin bags full of litter have been collected by Wombling Free Eden in just under two years.
Nikki Brabant was driving on the Penrith to Scotch Corner road in February 2021, when she noticed how badly littered its verges were looking.
After seeing a new litter picking group being set up on social media called Wombling Free in Cornwall, where she used to live, she set up a Facebook group called Wombling Free Eden.
“In just two months it had nearly 400 members and now has over 600,” said Nikki. “Not all are actively litter picking but it spreads the word.
“Many members were already litter picking individually or in groups beforehand but we find this gives us the motivation to carry on with what is a never-ending task.
“We used to have to put the bags in our cars to transport home but now have arrangements for them to be collected by council who also support us with equipment and bags.”
Earlier this month, a group of nine met at Penrith’s Kemplay roundabout and spent a couple of hours litter picking.
“We collected 21 blue bin bags and assorted other items — including two crisp packets that are 19 and 23 years old,” said Nikki, who has also found a 29-year-old crisp bag in a Cumbrian woodland.
The group say they can’t understand why people throw litter from their cars — which is said to be the main cause of littering in this country.
“Some people even bag up their litter and when it is full – crisp packets, nappies, drinks bottles, cans, sandwich wrappers – throw it out of the window all tied up neatly,” said Nikki.
Group member Gill Sharples said her feeling was that littering was probably worse now than when they first started. Litter is back within a couple of days on roads that have just been cleared, she said.
She said: “There’s also a lot of litter that’s been around since COVID when we weren’t allowed to go out. Most common litter includes plastic bottles, coffee cups, plastic bags with people’s lunch rubbish in like plastic containers, crisp packets, plastic cutlery, dog poo bags, drinks cans, wine and vodka bottles a lot of which could be recycled.
“My message to people who litter is: Please take your rubbish home — the roadside is not a bin. Please think about the impact your litter has on the environment and ecosystem.
“It’s a real eye opener when you pick litter in terms of what we find, you never know what you might find — from plastic vehicle parts, an unopened chicken drumsticks food tray thrown in a beck, a dead hen in a bag. We report fly tipping in our area too, mattresses, toys, tyres, garden waste.”
Judith Bulman agreed that littering had got worse in the short period she has been picking. Cans and plastic bottles are the most common items she finds.
Tony Pears, who works for Kier highways, provides the group with equipment and hi-vis jackets through his work. He began litter picking in his own time to keep Castle Park looking good for visitors. Meal deal packaging was a common item, as well as fast food packaging.
During a recent litter picking along the Temple Sowerby bypass, Tony said they collected 90 bags of litter and big items such as plastic drums, tyres and ladders.
