Large nitrous oxide canisters, underwear, socks, a driving licence with a fixed penalty notice attached, a keg, a fairy wand, condoms, vapes, BuzzBall cans and even potatoes were among the unusual items discovered as litter across Manchester.
As part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign, volunteers took to the streets and collected nearly 100 bags of rubbish.
The event organised by sustainable waste company Biffa, was to mark World Recycling Day.
Volunteers from Manchester City Council and students from Manchester University’s Eco Action Society took part in the six-mile litter pick across the city.
It has been reported that use of nitrous oxide in Manchester has been a problem, with police targeting dealers, and the huge cannisters found yesterday back that up as they were littered across the city.
The illicit drug known as laughing gas gives users a temporary high and has become popular among teens.
The bags of litter collected yesterday provide a snapshot of life across Manchester as new figures show that nearly 27 million adults in the UK have confessed to littering. More than 1.5 million of 28% of them admitted dropping unwanted food items such as fruit peel, sandwich crusts and ice cream cones because they think they will be biodegradable.
More than a million adults (10%) have owned up to leaving packaging behind after sitting down in public to eat or drink. The figures were revealed in a YouGov survey for Keep Britain Tidy ahead of the environmental charity’s Great British Spring Clean, which runs until March 29.
Sebastian Jones, 21, from Manchester University’s Eco Action Society, said:
“We are interested in recycling and sustainability and helping save the planet by small actions like the litter pick all add up.”
Camaron McCormack, 22, from the same group, added:
“It’s amazing what people throw away, we’ve had some unusual finds and a day like today not only helps the environment it brings everyone together.”
Sahil Vaghela, from the Eco Action Society, said:
“When we first decided to set up Eco Action we were walking along the canal and today we are back here where we started. We are committed to doing our bit for the environment to make a change for the better.”
Joining the volunteers were Biffa’s Winona and Whitney the Wasteater trucks and giant Whitney mascot. They are part of the wider Wasteater family of characters launched by Biffa to help fuel conversations at school, home and in the workplace about the importance of recycling.
Georgia Gibson, Biffa’s Social Value Manager, said:
“What a fantastic day. We were thrilled to see volunteers of all ages coming together in the warm spring sunshine to do their bit for Manchester.
“The brilliant team collected 78 bags of litter, including some unexpected finds along the way, including a driving licence paired with a fixed penalty notice, a fairy wand, a potato, a suitcase wheel, smelling salts, a beer keg and a hub cap, along with several large nitrous oxide canisters.
“The event was all about celebrating the Great British Spring Clean with Keep Britain Tidy and Manchester City Council, and showing how small actions can make a big difference.
“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who joined us and Winona and Whitney, our Wasteaters, brought plenty of fun and energy to the day.”
Money was also raised for WasteAid, the International charity working with communities across the world, including The Gambia, Uganda and South Africa, to improve waste management, protect health and create economic opportunities.
