Charity litter pickers who volunteered to keep the Plymouth Hoe tidy during and after the 1 Big Summer music festival have received over £7,500 from DCW for their efforts.
Independent South West-based waste management firm, DCW, was contracted to provide waste management services for the three-day event which welcomed up to 15,000 ticket holders each day. In addition to its own staff, DCW invited local litter picker groups and charities to fundraise whilst they litter picked against the backdrop of live music and a buzzing atmosphere.
Charity litter pickers were paid by the hour by DCW for their work at the event, giving five local good causes the opportunity to raise vital funds for their charity. Clean our Patch received £4,670, Plympton Litter Pickers received £1,007.75, Bags of Hope received £659.75, Dartmoor Zoological Society received £978.75 and Hectors House received £232, bringing the total amount raised for charity and local groups to £7,548.
Volunteers worked hard during and after the event to keep the surrounding area clean and tidy. DCW provided the litter pickers with the necessary equipment as well as refreshments and welfare facilities.
Cathy Loft of Plympton Litter Pickers, commented: “We had a great time litter picking at the 1 Big Summer festival and found the whole experience very positive and enjoyable. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet everyone worked very well as a team. What we found particularly satisfying was interacting with plenty of lovely festival goers! They were such a happy, friendly bunch. Everyone was grateful for what we were doing and thanked us. Some even wanted to do a little dance or throw their litter into the bag from a distance. It made the whole experience good fun.
“I’d like to express our thanks to DCW. The money we have been paid means we can buy new kit to enable us to continue as an independent group, giving us a great sense of security for the future. We will also be donating a percentage of the money to a local charity which will be decided on by the group.”
Simon Almond, Managing Director of DCW, commented: “We are regularly asked to provide a zero to landfill waste management service for big events, including litter picking, to ensure event sites are kept clean and tidy. In the past, we would employ agency staff to cover the role of litter picking but this time, we decided to open the opportunity up to charities and local litter picking groups, giving them the opportunity to raise valuable funds for their organisation. I was there with my family getting stuck in too. It was a great atmosphere, picking up litter whilst having a dance and raising significant funds for great causes.”
DCW empties in excess of 10,000 containers every week, diverting more than 40,000 tonnes away from landfill each year. It was the first company in the South West to offer a Zero to Landfill solution, meaning that all materials that can be recycled, are. DCW’s Zero to Landfill solution helps support the waste management and recycling industry by providing materials for onward processing, recycling and manufacturing.
As well as its Zero to Landfill service for mixed commercial waste, DCW also provides specialist waste management services such as chemical and WEEE disposal and site clearances.