Today, we are recognising the amazing efforts of 16-year old Robin Basu, who is voluntarily litter picking around Stowmarket for one hour every week for a year for his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.
After taking part in our virtual litter pick in September, Robin approached us and asked if we would support him in his litter picking efforts. The Town Council will always support positive individual and group community action, and we were thrilled to be able to provide Robin with the equipment he needed.
Not only is this dedication to be applauded, but Robin is a true force to be reckoned with. He is eager to encourage others to take part in litter picking and has invited members of staff from Tesco to volunteer with him, which they gladly accepted (unfortunately, this has been postponed due to lockdown).
He is also working with us to develop posters to be put in schools, plus being one of the youngest members of our Environment Forum, and is a true champion of environmental issues within his town.
Asked for a comment, Robin said: “I’m a normal teenager who lives in Stowmarket, and I asked myself, what can I do for the environment? So, I set myself a challenge, alongside my Duke of Edinburgh, to litter pick for an hour every week for a year around Stowmarket. Almost two-thirds of the litter I am collecting can easily be recycled and used again. I’ve picked up loads of plastic and aluminium cans. Aluminium takes 50 years to decompose, and plastic over 1,000 years. Millions of animals every year die from litter, either from toxins after eating it, getting tangled in plastic or injured on glass. Litter is polluting our air, water and soil. We can all do something, this is an easy solution, it’s so simple don’t drop litter – put it in a bin/ recycle.”
