DUDLEY Council has thanked its dedicated volunteer litter pickers with the launch of Dudley Borough Litter Busters at Himley Hall this week.
There are currently 144 volunteer litter picking groups and 235 individual litter pickers registered with Dudley Council.
The community-spirited volunteers give their time for free to help make their areas more attractive places to live.
Dudley Council wanted to recognise their hard work and hosted a launch event for the newly-named super group at an event at Himley Hall on Monday March 20.
Attendees were provided with new Litter Busters branded high visibility vests and pedometers to keep track of their steps when out and about.
They were also thanked for their hard work by the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Steve Clark, and head of neighbourhood services and the street scene group manager.
Vests and pedometers will be supplied to those who were unable to make it to the thank you event.
A private Facebook group has also been launched to share details of forthcoming council litter picks with volunteers.
From April 2022 to March 2023, 1,196 adults and 107 children or young adults have taken part in community litter picks.
Between them they’ve collected 1,357 bags of waste, giving the community 1,099 hours at a value of over £10,000.
Councillor Steve Clark, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “I’m so glad we were able to host this thank you event as a small way of showing our gratitude to the hundreds of people who have helped at a community litter pick, either as a one off or on a more regular basis.
“The work they do helps to make our borough cleaner, greener and more attractive for everyone.
“It can also be a fun and sociable way to spend a few hours, out in the open with like-minded people, working together to make a difference.”
June McAuliffe, who volunteers in the Saltwells and Netherton areas, said: “It’s so great to be able to give something and I find a huge sense of satisfaction in helping to clean up litter.”
The council provides litter pickers, bags and any other equipment needed for a litter pick and arranges collection of the bagged waste.
Items can be loaned as a one-off or semi-permanently for people wishing to undertake regular litter picks.
All newly registered volunteers receive a welcome pack and will now also receive a branded high visibility vest and pedometer.
Anyone wishing to become a Litter Buster can email street.cleaning@dudley.gov.uk
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