Glasgow residents help make Garnethill a litter free zone

Garnethill clean upGlasgow residents have joined forces in a bid to spruce up their local area by taking part in a litter pick.

Eighteen people including retired locals, students and community councillors took part in the recent event, organised by Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces (FROGGS) with assistance from Glasgow City Council’s Environmental Task Force.

The clean-up saw volunteers armed with litter pickers and brushes clean up the neighbourhood including Renfrew Street, Hill Street and Buccleuch Street, with each helper collecting around four bags of rubbish.

Margaret Watt, a community councillor and secretary of FROGGS, said: “Everyone clearly had a lot of fun at our clean-up. People of all ages are taking responsibility for Garnethill, whether they live, work or study here.

“There is still work to be done but people are already noticing there is less litter and we’re getting to have fun and meet new people. We’re getting the chance to speak to strangers who are interested in the work we are doing here too.”

The clean-up is the latest in a series of events for FROGGS, which meets every month to pick up litter and plant flowers in an effort to enhance the area.

Margaret added: “Garnethill is a great, eclectic community with some wonderful buildings. It’s really important we have green, clean surroundings that everyone can enjoy and that’s something we will continue working to achieve.”

The clean-up in Garnethill came after the Environmental Task Force announced that more than 500 people had signed up as Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers (NIVs). The NIVs adopt an area in their own community and help the Environmental Task Force’s 30 rapid response teams to make the city a cleaner and safer place to be, working with residents to try and share responsibility for the environment.

Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Environmental Task Force, said: “Glasgow’s Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers take great pride in their communities and the work they do in their own areas is inspirational. With support from the Environmental Task Force, they can make a real difference. They’ll receive equipment, advice and assistance from Task Force staff who are working hard to tackle environmental issue across the city. Together we can help make the city we love cleaner.”

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