Litter pickers want to make Doncaster a cleaner place

Bex Shaw decided it was time to make a change a year ago after seeing litter all over her Doncaster community.
Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.
Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.

Her response was to set up The Green Team – an organisation dedicated to clearing up the borough’s streets and green spaces.

Since the group started they have arranged around 30 litter picking events, around three a month.

Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.
Litter pickers on a recent outing gathering rubbish.
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Bex, aged 40, from Balby, said: “We’ve only got one planet, we should take pride in it not trash it.

“I just had to do something about it.

“Instead of just moaning about the state the area I decided to do something instead,”

Their facebook group is 300 members strong and their upcoming litter projects are posted on here regularly - https://www.facebook.com/groups/192597241346745/about/

The group is open to anyone who wants to come along, children included.

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Bex provides the litter picking gear such as gloves and bags.

She said: “It’s such a shame. Gorgeous places are filled with litter.

“The key is education, especially with the younger generation.

“They’re doing the majority of the littering.”

The Green Team encourages children to come along to the litter picks and Bex often works with local guide and scout groups.

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On any given litter pick the group can gather a great quantity of rubbish. At a recent Sandal Beat Woods event they amassed eight bags of trash.

“I’m fed up of seeing it. I’m passionate about the environment,” she said.

Julie Doyle, 49, from Balby, has been a volunteer with the group since it started a year ago.

“It’s everywhere in Doncaster. Just now as I was walking to this interview I picked up a can from the ground and threw it away.

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“I saw what Bex was doing on social media and I thought I want to make a difference too,” Julie said.

As well as being a member of The Green Team Julie also litter picks in her spare time.

Every other week she takes her litter picking gear down a nearby walking track and does her best to keep it rubbish free.

She said: “It’s disheartening. Within a couple of hours of me doing a litter pick there will be rubbish there already.

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“Last time I hadn’t been gone an hour and there was already a pizza box and a can.”

If you want to get involved in the group they are looking for new volunteers you can find more information on their Facebook page.

Bex said: “You will be making a difference and it makes you feel proud of yourself.

“It’s also getting you outside, involved in the community and great exercise.”

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The Green Team are also looking for sponsorship from local businesses to help them keep cleaning up the town. If you can be of any assistance email the group leader at: [email protected]

The next litter picks are as follows:

Saturday June 15,  Littlemoor Lane area of Balby 10am -12pm  meeting outside Balby central primary school.

Friday June 21,  midsummer litter pick around Cusworth Hall greenway 6 - 8pm meeting at the top of the hill on the grass.

Saturday June 29,  Elmfield Park litter pick 10am -12pm. Meeting outside the main park gates on Bennetthorpe.