Latest news with #cleanenvironment
BBC News
14 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Stroud woman aims to fix 'appalling' litter problem
A woman aiming to fix what she describes as an "appalling" litter problem, is leading a team of volunteers on a 22 mile (35km) overnight walk to collect Thomas, Stroud District Council's Member Champion for Litter and Clean Environment, has organised many long-distance personal challenges where she will litter pick along the Thomas is also running a campaign which aims to provide primary school children with litter pickers which they can use to keep the area around their school clean."It's about raising awareness and trying to do something to make a difference," she said. Ms Thomas says she came up with the idea after running the Stroud Half Marathon in the run, she picked up 22 bags of rubbish along the 13.1 mile (21km) far, 45 schools in the Stroud District area have signed up for the Litter Pickers for Little Pickers campaign and more than 1,400 grabbers have been handed Thomas, who this month has been given an award for her community efforts, is additionally raising money to buy books about the importance of protecting the environment for the said the response has been "incredible" and shows the "strong desire" for action in the community, which she said will benefit more than 7,000 children in the area. Ms Thomas said: "Some people have the attitude that it's okay to drop rubbish in the streets, as someone else - usually the council - will clear up after them."But the council can't be out every day as well as doing weekly bin collections; so it's the responsibility of all of us to help keep our streets tidy."If we all do a little bit when we're out and about, and make it a team effort, it will benefit everyone."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman aims to fix 'appalling' litter problem
A woman aiming to fix what she describes as an "appalling" litter problem, is leading a team of volunteers on a 22 mile (35km) overnight walk to collect rubbish. Gill Thomas, Stroud District Council's Member Champion for Litter and Clean Environment, has organised many long-distance personal challenges where she will litter pick along the way. Ms Thomas is also running a campaign which aims to provide primary school children with litter pickers which they can use to keep the area around their school clean. "It's about raising awareness and trying to do something to make a difference," she said. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Ms Thomas says she came up with the idea after running the Stroud Half Marathon in 2024. Throughout the run, she picked up 22 bags of rubbish along the 13.1 mile (21km) route. So far, 45 schools in the Stroud District area have signed up for the Litter Pickers for Little Pickers campaign and more than 1,400 grabbers have been handed out. Ms Thomas, who this month has been given an award for her community efforts, is additionally raising money to buy books about the importance of protecting the environment for the children. She said the response has been "incredible" and shows the "strong desire" for action in the community, which she said will benefit more than 7,000 children in the area. Ms Thomas said: "Some people have the attitude that it's okay to drop rubbish in the streets, as someone else - usually the council - will clear up after them. "But the council can't be out every day as well as doing weekly bin collections; so it's the responsibility of all of us to help keep our streets tidy. "If we all do a little bit when we're out and about, and make it a team effort, it will benefit everyone." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'I'm a one-man-band litter picker with no help' Paddleboarding litter-pickers clean up river Litter warning after 50-year-old crisp packet find Stroud District Council
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Peacekeepers and communities unite for an environmental clean-up campaign in Yambio
The market is the place to be in Yambio. It is a bustling hub of activity, with shopkeepers loudly selling their wares, people gathering to gossip, music blaring from roadside tea shops, and children playing with their friends. But this thriving heart of the community was in danger of being overwhelmed by a mountain of stinking garbage. Thousands of plastic bottles and bags, rotten food, cans, old car tires and even rusted old bicycles littered the wide dirt streets, creating, not only an eyesore, but a serious health hazard. In the build-up to World Environment Day, peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) joined forces with community members to tackle this mounting challenge. With gloves protecting their hands and determination in their eyes, they methodically collected pieces of garbage, making large piles, which were then removed by UNMISS bulldozers to be properly disposed of. 'To achieve peace, we need to start with a clean slate. One part of this is each of us taking individual responsibility to create clean environments that will foster clean relationships: between partners, family members, neighbors and, consequently, the whole country,' said Rotto Anibiapai Enock, Azande Kingdom Minister of Culture. The failure to deal with this problem, which has been building up for years, had created poor hygiene and sanitation, even more dangerous at a time when cholera is running rife through communities. It had also increased the risk of severe flooding during the rainy season due to drains being clogged with junk. Yambio Municipality Mayor, Singira Robert, stressed the urgency of the clean-up project, stating that local authorities and the community 'would like to use this initiative as an opportunity to create a long-term habit.' At a time, when communities in Yambio are, not only facing environmental and health challenges, but also tensions and conflict between different groups, this initiative had an impact far beyond its original intent. It brought diverse, and sometimes feuding, communities together with a common sense of purpose and united by a shared desire to restore the Western Equatorian region's reputation as the 'breadbasket' of South Sudan, known for its lush and fertile climate. For the peacekeepers, it was also about building trust and confidence with those they serve. 'This exercise was, not only crucial to help residents overcome hazards and challenges posed by poor sanitation and hygiene, but it also allowed us to further connect and strengthen our bonds with the local population,' said UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Emmanuel Dukundane. 'We are committed to continuing to support the Western Equatoria population and authorities with replicating and sustaining these efforts.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
