A NEW environmental initiative from Alfredton Rotary Club is encouraging residents to clean up waste while they walk, and improve their waistline at the same time.<\/p>\n
Launching on World Clean-Up Day on Saturday, 18 September, club member Deb Robertson said the long-term Walk Against Waste will ask Ballarat people to pick up rubbish while exercising in their community, and make it a habit.<\/p>\n
The club will supply waste tongs to registered participants, letting them know where the public bins are in their home suburb through a map.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have noticed that many people are enjoying walking around their local community, so by supplying pick-up grabbers and identifying drop-off points throughout the community, we hope that they will take the opportunity to clean as they go,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great chance to enhance their environment, demonstrate pride in their town and keep fit. It\u2019s a walk against waist, as well as waste.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipants are encouraged to send a picture of themselves picking up or disposing of rubbish, and each month a random picture will be chosen to be displayed on our social media, with a prize going to that winning person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow club member and environmental advocate David Sanders said the Walk Against Waste idea was sparked when he and his wife were out for a stroll.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were horrified by the amount of disposable face masks blowing along the streets, so we started picking up one or two bags of rubbish when we went for a walk, and the street looked like a different street,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can encourage people to take pride in their community, we all benefit from that in the long-term. One bag of rubbish from each person, within a combined effort, it can make a big difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we all take an interest, it gives us an inner glow and the positive habits could go on forever. Rubbish won\u2019t be such a big problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those keen to commit to Walk Against Waste are asked to register and pay $5 to cover the rubbish tongs, and resources.<\/p>\n
Ms Robertson said those involved will participate at their own risk, and that Alfredton Rotary Club takes no responsibility for injury or damage caused by, or arising from, the activity.<\/p>\n