More than 100kg of rubbish was collected during Keep New Zealand Beautiful clean up collections in Ashburton last weekend.
Broken car pieces, fast food packaging, beverage cans and bottles, and a metal drum were among the items collected.
Litter-Free Ashburton member Bev Skates said 23 community members across all age groups took part in the annual collection including members of Ashburton Lions and Pakeke Lions.
The event collection sites around town were co-ordinated via the district council’s events caravan, manned by Anthea Moore of Eco Educate, from the West St car park.
‘‘We collected 104kg of rubbish, 7kg of clean recycling and one metal drum,’’ Bev said.
The drum, collected from Melrose Rd, was able to be recycled.
‘‘We want people to be more aware of what they do with their rubbish. Our biggest issue is the fast foods (packaging),’’ Bev said, of people throwing empty containers out windows along the highway. ‘
‘We don’t want tossers,’’ she said.
Other items included vehicle hub caps, bumper bars, food containers and packaging, beer cans and bottles, milk bottles, newspaper, cardboard boxes, tyre rubber, plastic commerical wrapping/baleage and white polystryrene.
Volunteers have in the past also collected nappies and condoms among the usual food and beverage waste which aside from looking untidy, could eventually find its way into streams or waterways.
‘‘You name it, we’ve found it,’’ she said.
‘‘I just want to say a big thank you to our faithful volunteers, who not only come on our regular day but collect on their own in between time,’’ Bev said.
Areas targeted included Melrose Rd riverbed and car park area, North Park Reserve (opposite the racecourse), along River Terrace, Range St, north and south approaches to the Ashburton River bridge, West St, Archibald St and East St.
Litter-Free now return to their regular monthly collection day, meeting outside the former Ashburton Library on the corner of Havelock and West streets every second Thursday of the month. They collect from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Anyone is welcome to join them. Gloves and bags are provided.
