Council invests in new litter pickers made from recycled NHS face masks and ocean plastic

The new equipment, funded through the Community Builders’ Fund, is just one small way the District Council hopes to encourage a future that puts the environment firmly at the centre and support more items being brought back into use.

Made in the UK, the plastic components on the litter grabbers are made from 100% recycled polypropylene sourced from the NHS or through recovered ocean plastics; the litter picking hoops, used to keep litter bags open, are made wholly from fishing gear and nets recovered from the sea.

Councillor Paul Hiett, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency, said: “Our environment is in crisis and as a society we need to step up our efforts to protect our planet and find ways that support a cleaner, greener future where people and wildlife can co-exist safely. 

“It’s believed that each year 8 million tonnes of plastic waste will enter our oceans. These plastics can entangle marine animals or be mistaken for food, both with devastating consequences. Over time plastics will also start to break down into much smaller micro plastics, invading fragile ecosystems, and even entering our own food chain. While pollution is a massive problem, we hope by supporting a process that enables more items to be rescued, recycled and ultimately reused, we’re making a positive contribution towards protecting nature and making a truly circular economy a reality.”

Damion Collins, Community Safety Lead at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “At the height of the pandemic, around 58 million single-use face masks were being used every day in the UK, making them one of the most common forms of plastic pollution on land. Over time litter can migrate to the oceans and estimates put a figure of 1.5 million face masks now present in our seas. 

“Investing in the litter pickers not only makes sense in terms of bringing more throwaway items back into use but the fact they’ve been made from face masks and ocean plastic is a fantastic way to start a conversation with the young people we talk to about litter, spark their curiosity, and show them the possibilities of what can be achieved if they recycle.”

Schools, Scout and Girlguiding groups as well as community groups interested in booking a visit, assembly or talk by the Council’s Street Warden team can get in touch by emailing: [email protected]