LOCAL volunteers and Thurrock Council's Sustainability Team rolled up their sleeves and helped to make a difference in Grays as part of the recent World Cleanup Day, which happened on 20 September.

The Council's Sustainability Team organised a community litter-picking event at Thames Road Car Park and Kilverts Field in Grays, to clean up the local area and highlight the importance of recycling.

The team collected, sorted and then weighed recyclable materials found in the local area, and recovered a total of 640 recyclable containers weighing almost 25kg.

Items collected included:

• 392 aluminium cans, weighing 6.35kg
• 193 plastic bottles, weighing 3.63kg
• 55 glass bottles, weighing 14.97kg

By recovering these materials and ensuring they could be recycled rather than remaining as general waste, it is estimated that the event helped avoid around 65kg of CO₂e emissions. That is roughly equivalent to driving an average petrol car for 180 miles or boiling a kettle around 2,500 times.

Cllr Russell Cherry, cabinet member for Veterans, Enforcement and Environment, said: "There is something really special about seeing people come together to take pride in where they live. Every can, bottle and piece of litter collected might seem small on its own, but together these efforts make a real difference.

"I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to take part in the event. This is a wonderful example of how a small group of people can make a big difference, while also reminding us all that we have a shared responsibility for the places we call home."

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

The World Cleanup Day event also provided an opportunity for the council to speak with residents about the importance of recycling and how communities can get involved in helping the environment. Recycling is a priority for the council and it's 'Let's Get it Sorted' campaign focusses on educating and working with residents to recycle right and increase Thurrock's recycling rate.

More information on recycling in Thurrock can be found here: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling.