A Wellingborough litter picking group’s new initiative encourages companies and shops to take ownership for the rubbish and litter on their premises and outside their frontages.
The Wellie Wombles was formed in February 2021 after walking became an essential part of Freddie Harris’ routine, for exercise and out of necessity to get to the shops. It was on these walks during the coronavirus lockdown when Freddie began to observe the extent of the littering problem.
He said: “During the walks, we couldn’t help but notice the amount of litter both new and historic, so we started picking up litter as we walked and very soon had a bag, then bags full!”
Dozens of people joined to volunteer almost immediately after Freddie took to social media to start the litter picking group.
Freddie stated: “Since then, we have gone from strength to strength. We have over 650 supporters and about 40 active volunteers…obviously hundreds of other people thought the same as us about what a state our town was in with the amount of litter about.”
When the volunteers began to venture further on their litter picking walks, they noticed the poor condition of industrial estates and shop fronts due to littering. Because this land is not public, the Wombles had no choice but to write letters asking Wellingborough businesses to look after their frontage and immediate areas.
Freddie explained: “The litter and unkempt appearance of the company or shop gives the impression that the business has little regard for its surroundings or the public’s opinion of their environment.
“Unfortunately, this litter problem also extends to the regular routes from our factory estates through to local housing.”
Two companies already support this new initiative. The staff at one are picking up litter on their lunch break, and the other has purchased litter picking equipment with the hopes of establishing a regular clean up routine.
It is unlikely that an organisation will control and take overall responsibility for littering throughout Wellingborough any time soon. The Wellie Wombles hopes that many more companies will get behind its new initiative to help tackle the issue by taking responsibility for their own area.
The Wellie Wombles focuses on trying to keep Wellingborough free of litter by picking it up, reporting fly tipping, and returning abandoned trolleys to stores. It is now an independent group under the Wellingborough Eco Group’s “umbrella”.
Find out more about Wellie Wobles here.