I have been the occasional litterpicker in North Common for almost ten years and perhaps it is a good time to write an account of my experience doing it. At this point I should say, despite the implication in the title of this article, that I am sure North Common is no different to any other country lane and probably better than some and perhaps worse than some others!
Equipped with a high-visibility waistcoat, a bin-liner and support ring and a litter-picker tool I venture out when traffic is likely to be light and walk the distance from the junction with The Street to the junction with the B1111. I do not have a regular schedule of doing a pick, but try to do one every two months all year round. I find it easier to walk along one side going one way and the other coming back, so constantly looking to my right and in so doing also listening for vehicles creeping up behind me!
Most of what I collect can be described as food or drink containers and add to that a wide variety of other, mainly small items, which this month included a single sock! Cans and plastic drink bottles predominate and of course take up the most room. Occasionally I come across an empty gin bottle which is both space-consuming and relatively heavy. Crisp packets, empty blister packs from various comestibles, sweet packet wrappers, wipes, complete sets from fast food outlets, empty drinks containers complete with lids and drinking straws etc. etc.
Dirty rags, sections of polythene sheeting, binder twine and strange objects whose purpose I cannot imagine all find their way into my sack
.I have to say, and I expect that you won’t be surprised to read it, that I am constantly disappointed at the volume of rubbish I collect along just a one mile country lane. It’s unsightly, pollutant in some cases, hazardous to wildlife, un environmental and completely unnecessary. Such, mainly small, items which have been brought and transported principally by vehicle should therefore be taken back in the same vehicle and disposed of properly.
KEEP SUFFOLK TIDY!
A Volunteer Litter Picker