On Clean Up Australia Day 70 volunteers cleaned up Batten Reserve Bushland and the surrounding streets. The event, hosted by The Stringybark Creek Residents Association and supported by the Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group, brought young and old together to join forces in a massive clean up as part of Clean Up Australia.
Families and residents of all ages 2 years through to over 80 took part as well as the enthusiastic and very helpful Lane Cove Guides. Mayor Pam Palmer and Councillor Daniel Strassberg , Councillor Francis Vissel.
It’s great to see the various strands of our community coming together for the purpose of protecting our precious environment
The Clean Up crew filled numerous bags, which included 392 drink containers (down from 518 drink containers 1n 2018), Last year there were 250 plastic bags picked up this year there were 5. Lots of and household items cleared up including a toaster, hubcabs and mirror all dumped in the bushland. The concerning issue was the rise in spray paint cans and nitrous oxide canisters (over 100). It would be fair to say that they were not there because picnic goers were putting whipped cream on cakes. Doctors have warned of the health risks associated with nitrous oxide – read this report.
Although there was a great community spirit present, the question does arise: Why do we need to clean up after others? The vast majority of litter items collected was in someone’s hand at some point. What can we do to change human behaviour in order to have a different outcome?
The Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group support a multi-tiered approach to reducing litter, which includes fines, the return and earn scheme (which Lane Cove Council needs to action in Lane Cove), a ban on single use plastic bags and not least of all education. Australians care about their environment and will continue to clean up but the LSAG does not want to see councils and governments take steps to turn off the litter producing tap at the other end for the sake of those who inherit the planet we leave behind.
Let’s make our life much less plastic, by Refusing, Reusing and Recycling, in that order.
If you are interested in joining the Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group contact Sjirk Bangma on 0418 613 740
Do you have a local issue you would like help with? ITC is here to help just email us at [email protected]
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