Debbie Bartlett from Felixstowe was so incensed by the amount of litter she saw on the roads and lay-bys in her area that she decided to do something about it.

To coincide with Earth Day on 22 April, Debbie launched a campaign to tackle the problem by starting a Facebook group, Litter-Free Roads & Lay-bys, where people, especially commercial drivers who spend their working lives on the road, can report litter hot-spots.

The reports are forwarded by Debbie to the relevant local authority so that arrangements can be made for its removal.  “As volunteers we’re not allowed to litter-pick on major roads ourselves, so we need to work with the councils to get the rubbish cleared,” said Debbie. “We also use the Facebook page to celebrate the good work that councils do in response to our reports, our local council has been particularly supportive and we want to let people know that.”

Debbie’s campaign has been widely supported by local haulage companies, many of which have also signed the ‘Litter Free Pledge’ to reduce the amount of litter on their sites and help promote a litter free society.  The plan now is to promote the Facebook group throughout the UK and to involve individuals and companies across all industry sectors.

“I think people have just had enough of the mess our country is in - it’s a disgrace!” said Debbie.

To support the Litter-Free Roads & Lay-bys campaign and help the UK clean up its act, click here.



Photo: Debbie Bartlett, second from right, with recent signees of the Litter Free Pledge.

Photo courtesy of Pay Stockley.