A PATH running adjacent to a river in Flintshire now has a lot less rubbish courtesy of the hard work of a group of volunteers.

The Bovril Path and part of the River Alyn in Mold are litter-free following a volunteer led clean up event on Saturday.

A group of 22 volunteers took to the 45-hour task of cleaning along the river, collecting over 25 bags of rubbish, three shopping trolleys, two bike wheels, a tent, car parts and assorted metal and wood.

Jenny Thomas from the Plastic Reduction Mold group which organized the event said: “This was our first clean up and despite the rain it’s been very successful, with everything that was collected.

“We were supported by councillors from Mold Town Council and the Wild About Mold project officer for North Wales Wildlife Trust. They lent us all the litter-picking equipment we needed and helped at the event. Flintshire County Council’s Steetscene team is collecting the waste and will be recycling as much of it as possible. It’s been a great team effort.”

Amy Green, Wild About Mold project officer for North Wales Wildlife Trust, added: “The River Alyn is an important part of Mold’s green infrastructure. Last year we found otter spraint on this section of the river when we were also out litter picking and we regularly see dippers flying around.

"The plastic waste which is dropped on our streets and paths can end up in our rivers and is then washed out into our seas and oceans forever. The fantastic group of volunteers today showed just what we can do to improve our natural environment when we all work together.”

The Plastic Reduction Mold group decided at their last public meeting to promote the nationwide ‘Refill’ scheme in town to provide a network of businesses offering to refill people’s water containers with free tap water if they request it.

They are also working towards being accredited as one of the UK’s ‘Plastic Free Communities’, which is a high profile community change programme based on a number of local businesses, schools and councils signing up to reduce some of their single-use plastic of all types and find more sustainable alternatives in town.

The next event the group is holding will be on Saturday August 3 when there will be four short public action group meetings to take forward the plastic reduction ideas which people suggested at the previous public meetings. The times are: ‘Campaigning and Communications’ at 1.30pm; ‘Mold Businesses and Shops’ at 2.15pm; ‘Community, Schools & Education’ at 3.00pm; and ‘Plastic Reduction Projects’ at 3.45pm. These will all be held in the Daniel Owen Community Centre, in Room 4, Earl Road, Mold CH7 1AP. Everyone is welcome to come and work together to develop clear action plans to make change happen.

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For further information, please look at the Plastic Reduction Mold - Lleihau Plastig Yr Wyddgrug facebook, or phone Mold Town Council on 01352 758532.