Climate action group volunteers stage ‘Plasticblitz’

VOLUNTEERS carried out a litter pick in and around Watlington.

Nine members of the Watlington Climate Action Group took part in Plasticblitz, an annual event organised by Thames21 and the Environment Agency in which community groups are asked to collect data.

The volunteers spent the afternoon litter picking in Horse Pond and the chalk stream as well as at an industrial estate off Cuxham Road, filling three-and-a- half bin bags.

The most common finds were plastic bottles and dog poo bags.

Denny Rigby, of Watlington Climate Action, said: “Our group of volunteers was split into two groups. The team at the Horse Pond managed to move a double mattress from the pond as well as finding various plastic bottles, cans, toys and even a plastic jewellery box.

“The team by the industrial estate collected similar objects and noticed that the colours of the rubbish had gradually faded, so even when we think that an area is clean there is probably more than the naked eye can see.

“The group also noticed how plastic becomes brittle then separates into smaller bits that get into the waterways. The data is to help understand the extent of pollution by plastic and other materials threatening our rivers and streams. It takes up to 450 years for a single plastic bottle to decompose.

“A massive thank-you to all the volunteers and Watlington Parish Council for its help and support.

“We had a great time and managed to collect a lot of items.”