Bags of litter from across the town centre have been collected as part of a joint effort by the Rapid Relief Team UK (RRT), Poynton Town Council, and members of the local community.
Earlier this year environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy released a report that revealed the alarming scale of England’s litter problem – with more than 90% of the places surveyed across Britain blighted by litter.
This data has accelerated the need for action, with local authorities across the country committed to tackling the problem of littering and fly tipping through enforcement measures, public reporting, clean-up efforts, and education.
This includes at Poynton Town Council, where its Community Support Officers have recently linked up with six volunteers from the regional branch of the RRT, a charitable organisation made up of local volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, and other members of the town community.
The charity works across the country to help communities wherever they can and already supports a range of organisations in Poynton and the wider East Cheshire area, from local schools to the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service.
In this first collaboration, the picking-party met at the Civic Hall before they set off across the town, with a route passing the nearby local supermarkets, shops, car parking areas, and Poynton Baptist Church.
With a shared goal of ensuring that the town remains clean, safe, and tidy for residents and visitors, the organisations and members of the local community spent the morning removing litter ranging from single use plastics to much larger items.
Reflecting on the success of the collaboration, Amos Wilkinson – Local Team Leader at the RRT, said:
“It was wonderful to be collaborate with Poynton Town Council on this local clean-up effort.
“Together with volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and the RRT, we are committed to supporting our local communities. We share the drive, passion, and pride in place of Poynton Town Council and are always looking for ways we can volunteer and help make a difference in our local communities.
“It was telling to see how much litter we collected over the course of the morning as this demonstrates the invaluable role that the Community Support Team play. Ensuring that the community comes together to discourage and remove litter is vital – it benefits both people and wildlife.
“We look forward to joining forces with Poynton Town Council and others in the local community once again to help keep the town and surrounding area clean, safe, and enjoyable for all.”
