Volunteers clean up in task

Almost 400kg of rubbish has been collected from Hedland’s natural environment after a successful community effort for Clean Up Australia Day.

The trash was disposed of correctly, with around 200kg headed for recycling after Care For Hedland Environmental Association hosted clean-ups at six locations last month.

Association co-ordinator Jo Smith said it was a fantastic turn-out of volunteers, with litter gathered from the different sites over three weekends.

“All volunteers put in a fantastic effort and we thank you for your help with these Clean Up Australia Day events,” she said.

“A big thank you goes out to Care For Hedland’s recycling partners SimsMetals and Toxfree, as well as Keep Australia Beautiful for organising such a fantastic clean-up initiative.”

The first gathering allowed seven volunteers to collect 18kg of waste and more than 2kg of recycling from Hamilton Road in South Hedland on February 17.

On February 24, 14 volunteers collected 168kg of waste and 24kg of recycling at the Six Mile turn off, while 40kg of waste and 2kg of recycling were bagged by 14 volunteers opposite the Port Hedland shopping centre on March 3.

In the official Clean Up Australia Day event on March 4, 18 volunteers picked up 93kg of waste and 138kg of recycling at Scadden Road, three volunteers collected 40kg of rubbish at Pretty Pool beach, and 30kg of rubbish and recycling was gathered by 32 volunteers at Cemetery Beach with help from Hedland Girl Guides.

“Care For Hedland does regular roadside clean-ups known as Adopt-A-Spot, which volunteers are always welcome to join,” Ms Smith said.

“On the third Saturday of every month, clean-ups will happen on Hamilton Road South Hedland and on the fourth Saturday of every month, a random location will be selected on the Port-South road.”