Leeds litter-pickers rack up 10,000 bags of rubbish

The Litter Free Guiseley group has just celebrated reaching the impressive milestone through 17 years of hard work in their community.

When first formed in 2003, the hardworking volunteers began picking ten litter bags a month but the group now boasts over 30 members who pick an impressive 100 bags a month on their regular Sunday morning missions.

Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, they are now picking the litter individually or in family groups.

The devoted group was also key to the formation of the Litter Free Leeds network of volunteers set up in 2017 to bring together communities, groups and individuals to tackling the issues of littering and fly-tipping across the city.

Litter Free Guiseley loan their litter picking equipment to groups who wish to tackle local hotspots and regularly work with families and children who are working on the Duke of Edinburgh Award for litter picking.

Coun Mohammed Rafique, executive member for environment and active lifestyles, said: “I am very proud of the dedicated and hard-working people who are part of this group and voluntarily contribute to making our local communities better for everyone

“It is amazing to see the progress they have made in the last 17 years and how much they have developed.

"Regularly picking up litter from pavements, parks, and even woodlands is definitely no easy work and we should all be extremely grateful for what they do.”

For more information on the Litter Free Guiseley volunteer group, visit: https://www.facebook.com/LitterFreeGuiseley/.

To get involved in litter picking join and message the Litter Free Leeds Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/litterfreeleeds

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Thank you

Laura Collins