Dedicated groups tackling the blight of litter in their communities are backing a campaign aimed at cleaning up some of North Yorkshire’s best-loved locations. North Yorkshire Council has teamed up with parish and town councils to encourage residents and visitors to protect the environment, with weatherproof anti-littering posters installed in their communities. Among the grassroot organisations supporting the campaign is Malton and Norton Tidy Group, which was established in 2009 to tackle littering across the two towns.
With around 20 members, the group estimates that more than 500 bags of litter are collected each year. "It is clear that the work of a relatively small group of community-spirited residents is making a significant difference to the appearance and wellbeing of our towns,” said group member Antony Croser. “The same stretches of roadside verges are picked on a regular basis, and we constantly collect the same amount and type of litter.
“The main items are drinks cans and bottles, and packaging from food on the go. It is quite worrying how much alcohol-related litter there is, and this includes wine and spirit bottles. “We are constantly collecting debris from vehicles; you name it, and someone has probably picked it up on of the many rounds that we have done over the years.
” The council helps community groups to operate by providing equipment, such as litter-pickers and high-vis vests, and advice, as well as arranging for any litter to be collected..