Posted on: Friday 21 March 2025
Plastic bottles, crisp packets, vapes, a dog bed, and a lonely shoe are just some of the items of rubbish picked up as part of Torfaen’s annual Spring Clean.
More than 70 volunteers tackled 10 litter hotspots, collecting a total of 68 bags of rubbish and 13 bags of recycling which included cans, plastic and glass bottles.
Oliver James, the council’s Litter and Fly-tipping Prevention Officer, said: “It’s still a real pleasure meeting passionate people who want to keep the environment clean.
“This year, we worked with members of the public and businesses such as Cwmbran Morrisons who have donated a prize for the Spring Clean school competition we are running.
“Their dedication towards litter picking is just what we need from businesses.
“Just think, if fewer people dropped litter and more people picked litter up we would live in a cleaner and greener word.
“I would like to thank everyone who turned up to one of the Spring Clean events, and I can’t wait to see them again next year.”
Torfaen Spring Clean litter picks took place at Pontypool Park, Garn Lakes, Blaenavon town centre, Pontypool town centre, Springvale Woods, Northfields, Llantarnam Ponds, Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve, Cwmbran Boating Lake and Woodland Road fields.
A few locations were chosen because they were suitable for volunteers with mobility problems.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive member for the Environment, said: “On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank everyone who got involved in this year’s Spring Clean. By working together, we really can make a difference to the cleanliness of Torfaen.
“We would also like to thank individuals and groups who litter pick throughout the year, we really do appreciate your hard work.
“Litter is unsightly, unhygienic and can be dangerous to animals. There’s no excuse to throw litter as we have over 700 litter bins located throughout the borough.
“We are always happy to support the public and groups with litter picks including offering advice and where to loan equipment, so please get in touch if this is something you or your group would like to get involved in.”
Torfaen Spring Clean takes place every year and is an opportunity for residents, businesses, schools and other agencies to carry out litter picks to help clean up the borough and create litter free zones.
To find out more about environmental volunteering opportunities with the council get in touch with Oliver.James@torfaen.gov.uk, join our dedicated Facebook group, visit Connect Torfaen or call 01495 762200.
If you would like to host your own litter pick, equipment can be collected free from one of Keep Wales Tidy’s Litter Picking Hubs.
This project contributes to the council's wellbeing objectives to respond to the climate and nature emergency by working towards delivering the Litter and Fly-tipping Action Plan. You can read more about the council's County Plan here.