Hilton’s Maureen Maher is the driving force behind Keep Australia Beautiful’s Adopt-a-Spot program, where groups all over the state pledge to keep a particular area in their neighbourhood free from roadside trash like cigarette butts and discarded food and drink wrappers.
The program also encourages its volunteers to separate recyclable items so they don’t end up in landfill.
South Fremantle’s Pamela Carlberg and her husband Pete are among Perth’s longest adopters, having worked hard to keep areas like Lefroy Road, King William Park and Florence Park clean since 2009.
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READ NOW“My husband and I first got involved in the adopt a spot because we were walking Lefroy road trying to get fit and on our first walk I could not believe the amount of rubbish that was along the road, there was so much all along to Carrington Street – bottles, cans, all sorts,” Ms Carlberg said.
“I was going to ring the council and heartily complain, fortunately I saw an ad in the local paper for Adopt-a-Spot and I realised I could do something about the rubbish myself while still walking to get fit.”
Ms Maher, who is also part of her own Adopt-a-Spot group in Hilton, said it was people like Ms Carlberg and her husband that made the program such a success.
“They agree to look after a spot for two years, do litter clean ups and report back to Keep Australia Beautiful on what they pick up,” she said.
“It’s easy to participate, a good way to get your family to participate in their community, and do something simple to help the environment.”
Visit www.kabc.wa.gov.au for more information.
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