Sneinton residents forming their own clean-up groups over litter concerns
Members of Swag meet together once a month to litter pick (Image: Sarah-Marie Taylor)
People in Sneinton are taking the state of the area into their own hands by forming a network of community groups.
Sneinton Waste Action Group (SWAG) formed around a year ago and has 42 regular members who come out and litter pick monthly.
It started on Facebook when one person posted that they were shocked at the amount of rubbish in the area, asked for help.
Sarah-Marie Taylor, 36, the founder of SWAG and a Sneinton resident, said: “We started SWAG as a response to litter and fly tipping in the area.
“When I moved to Sneinton I was horrified by the state of the area.
“I’ve been surprised by the response but its nice to see local residents getting together and taking pride in where they live.”
David Mellen, the ex-leader of Nottingham City Council and Labour councillor for the Dales ward, has frequently attended SWAG litter picks for the last six months.
He said: “There has been no sense of ownership in the area.
“There are loads of reasons for the littering, whether that’s irresponsible landlords, lack of education or laziness, but I’m not prepared to let those who are doing this win.
“However, there is now a good sprit in Sneinton and it’s my responsibility as a councillor to encourage this and empower my community.”
SWAG are not the only group taking action as many in the area are deciding it’s time to make a change.
GrowNotts is a community interest company that recently started the campaign “Wild About Sneinton”, where residents are encouraged to get out and plant, water and maintain parts of the area.
Jack Harris, 31, the founder of GrowNotts and a Sneinton resident said: “We want to create a greener, more vibrant, more ecological Sneinton.”
“We want to create pathways and opportunities for people to do it for themselves.
“Opportunity is more important than outcome.”
An event in April saw more than 150 people turn up to clean and plant. Members are also trying to get a grant from the council for a community officer.
Plans over the next few months include making sure June’s Sneinton Festival remains tidy, conducting litter picks throughout the day.
After being given a trailer by a resident in the area, SWAG also plans to renovate this, put equipment for litter picking or gardening in it and use it as an educational tool for the community and local schools.
SWAG, alongside its partners including GrowNotts, has also organised a free waste disposal day in Sneinton on Saturday, May 24 .
It will be the first event of its kind organised by the group, which hopes for similar events in future.
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