Key Takeaways
- A group of three friends, known as the Roadside Rubbish Relics, have been collecting roadside litter in the town of Dongara, Western Australia, for over 14 months.
- The group has collected between 8-10 tonnes of litter, including over 13,000 drink containers, and has won an award for their efforts.
- The friends face various challenges while collecting litter, including wild pigs, road trains, and scorching sun.
- The group’s efforts have led to a noticeable reduction in litter along the highway and have significantly improved the town’s presentation.
- The local community has shown appreciation for the group’s work, with some drivers dropping off water and coffee for them.
Introduction to the Roadside Rubbish Relics
The town of Dongara, located about 350 kilometers north of Perth, is known for its beautiful beaches, rolling dunes, and natural beauty. However, the town’s picturesque scenery was being marred by the presence of roadside litter. It was this issue that prompted Glenys Bellis to take action and start collecting the trash. She was soon joined by her friends Sherry Martin and Glenda Green, and together they formed the Roadside Rubbish Relics. The group’s simple plan was to spend their spare time picking up other people’s trash from the side of the road, and they have been doing so for over 14 months.
The Challenges of Collecting Roadside Litter
The Roadside Rubbish Relics face various challenges while collecting litter, including wild pigs, road trains, and scorching sun. The group spends up to six hours a day, sometimes three days a week, bush bashing around regional roads, including the Brand Highway, which has a speed limit of 110 km/h and is used by thousands of road trains. Despite these challenges, the group has collected between 8-10 tonnes of litter, including over 13,000 drink containers. They have found a wide range of items, including crocs, thongs, and even things that belong in a rubbish bin, such as items from bedside tables.
The Impact of the Roadside Rubbish Relics’ Efforts
The Roadside Rubbish Relics’ efforts have had a significant impact on the town of Dongara. According to Keep Australia Beautiful, approximately 100,000 tonnes of waste becomes litter in Australia each year. The group’s efforts have led to a noticeable reduction in litter along the highway and have significantly improved the town’s presentation. The local community has also shown appreciation for the group’s work, with some drivers dropping off water and coffee for them. The group’s efforts have also encouraged people to be more aware of the environment and to take responsibility for their own litter.
The Roadside Rubbish Relics’ Award-Winning Efforts
The Roadside Rubbish Relics’ efforts were recognized when they won the "Litter Action" category at this year’s WA Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards. The judges said their efforts had led to "a noticeable reduction in litter along the highway and have significantly improved the town’s presentation". The group was "gobsmacked" by the award and felt proud to be part of the community. The award is a testament to the group’s hard work and dedication to keeping their town clean and beautiful.
Conclusion and Encouragement
The Roadside Rubbish Relics’ story is an inspiring one, and it encourages people to take action and make a difference in their own communities. The group’s efforts have shown that even small actions can have a significant impact, and that by working together, we can create a cleaner and more beautiful environment. As Sherry Martin said, "If you’re going to drink it, keep it in your car until you find a bin to put it in." This simple message can make a big difference, and it is a reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our environment clean and beautiful.
