WAR ON LITTER: Torfaen litter warriors fill 582 bags of rubbish

Since July, the same month the Argus launched its War on Litter campaign, Ron Ford and his litter-picking colleagues have removed 582 bags of litter and fly-tipped waste from the Pontypool area.

After completing this clean-up operation, around a woodland and underpass opposite a McDonald’s restaurant, Mr Ford said he remained optimistic the area’s sizeable litter problem could be tackled, but it was important for people’s efforts to be visible.

“More and more people are going out into their communities to clean,” Mr Ford, from Griffithstown, said. “Even if they only do it outside their houses, the more people who are seen doing it, the better.”

Mr Ford started litter-picking after his retirement, six-and-a-half years ago. Since July 2018, he has been joined by like-minded people. Now, he says, the as-yet-unnamed group undertakes regular clean-ups in the area. He also praised Torfaen County Borough Council for its support, especially with helping the team to remove the bags of litter they collect.

It took a fully-loaded council lorry three trips to remove the team’s recent haul, he said, which included pieces of traffic cones and food packaging, as well as the fly-tipped tyres.

“We need an all-Wales litter strategy,” Mr Ford said. “Councils need to do more, but fortunately Torfaen does [help].”

Mr Ford said having more litter bins was one possible solution to the area’s litter woes, but that it was important people went out of their way to make a contribution.

“If everyone picked up one piece of litter every day, our problems would be solved,” he said.

Get in touch – we want to feature every litter-picking hero and volunteer group we can.

As well as your stories, we want your pictures and videos too.

If you would like to be featured, or want to send pictures of problem areas, get in touch by emailing sam.ferguson@gwent-wales.co.uk.

You can also join our dedicated Facebook group – South Wales Argus: War on Litter.