WHY IS LITTERING BAD?
BY NAOMI DRUCE
Apart from looking awful and spoiling our streets and countryside, it is really important for children to understand the damage litter can do to wildlife and the environment. By giving them examples like, rubbish thrown into rivers and streams can kill swans and ducks and even pollute the water for fish and other animals, it helps them understand the importance of why we litter- pick in our community.
It’s thought that seven out of 10 pieces of litter on our streets are food related, and rats, foxes, pigeons and gull populations are all getting bigger because of fast-food waste.
Even children, who often feel that what they do has little or no affect, can have a positive influence on the environment by helping to reduce the amount of litter on our streets..
Myself and the children started litter picking as they were forever commenting on the amount of rubbish and canisters that we saw on a daily basis. We are so lucky to have the open spaces, rivers and lakes on our doorstep but yet they are becoming dumping grounds for food waste and litter. By being out litter picking we are hoping to spread awareness of the importance of not just to litter pick but not to drop litter in the first place.
With regards to the silver canisters that we seem to see everywhere, we are currently collecting these, and are teaming up with Runnymede Borough Council to get them recycled, with the money made from them being donated to a drug awareness charity.
I’m hoping as a family we have highlighted the issue and encouraged more families to help with our plight.
You can get involved too! If you are on social media, you can join the group through the Facebook page at www.Facebook.comgroups/786942668558138
Or check out the website for more details on clean up events and what we are doing in the community at www.chertseycleanup.co.uk.
You can also depend on Chertsey Life for updates.