We are incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful seaside town. Our beaches, parks, and green spaces are places for families to enjoy, holiday makers to explore, and our community to take pride in. But with that privilege comes responsibility. Unfortunately, littering and fly tipping is a persistent issue, one that not only damages our environment but also affects how our town is judged.
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining the Silent Disco litter pick with Weston Town Youth Council. As we chucked on our gloves and grabbed our litter pickers (and, of course, headphones with some disco tunes), the enthusiasm of the local kids taking part was incredible. Even with the cold weather, so many people turned out, including Councillor James Clayton. Cleaner Coastlines and Plastic Free Weston were there, they are two incredible organisations helping clear up own town with so many others. On Saturday, we worked together as a team to clean up the green space at the YMCA Youth Centre on the Bournville, the dedication to keeping our town clean is a testament to the community spirit that thrives here. The volunteers were as young as 6, and they were all so passionate about cleaning up our town.
As we made our way through the streets, parks and green spaces, we were all frustrated and angry to see the amount of litter thrown onto the floor without a second thought, and worse, being used as a dumping ground. As a coastal town, the impact of waste here is even more worrying. Wrappers, bottles, cigarettes and plastic waste not only spoil the beauty of our town but threaten our beaches, marine and wildlife. Plastics and other waste can be carried by the wind into the sea, harming wildlife and polluting our waters. Birds and other coastal animals often mistake tiny bits of litter for food, unknowingly feeding plastic to their babies.
It’s not just about our environment; littering also affects our town’s reputation. As I’m sure you know, tourism is a vital part of our local economy, bringing visitors who come to enjoy our stunning coastline and vibrant town. When litter piles up in our town, it looks awful. Who wants to visit a place overrun with rubbish? How our town looks impacts local businesses and jobs. This is why I am so grateful to see youth groups positively impacting our town. Seeing the work they did was terrific, but it was even better to get involved. To be there with people of all ages, cleaning up our town felt great while also throwing some questionable dance moves.
At the end of a cold day, we had collected over 20 bags of rubbish. While it was rewarding to clear such a large amount, this issue shouldn’t exist in the first place. It’s crucial to acknowledge that we all share responsibility for maintaining Weston’s cleanliness. Every piece of litter dropped is an eyesore but also a burden on our resources. The more time and money spent to remove waste, means there is less money available for essential services that benefit us all.
I want us all to feel proud to live in Weston. We can all contribute to a cleaner environment and take pride in our community. Weston has incredible natural beauty, and we must do everything we can to protect it. By working together and taking personal responsibility, we can ensure that our beaches, streets, and green spaces remain places we are proud of. Let’s respect our environment, dispose of waste properly, and support initiatives that promote cleanliness.
I will be out again, litter picking very soon. I really enjoy it, but it’s because showing up for our community matters. A cleaner town benefits everyone—locals, holidaymakers, shops, and, most importantly, future generations.
If you would like to report any incidents of fly tipping or waste that needs removing, please click the link below.
https://forms.gle/SctNDZv9vLTFZpwEA
